Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation during Sleep Improves Declarative Memory

BACKGROUND The performance of a task depends on ongoing brain activity which can be influenced by attention, excitement or motivation. Scientific studies confirm that mindfulness leads to better performance, health and well-being. However, these cognitive efficiency modulating factors are nonspecific, can be difficult to control, and are not suitable to specifically facilitate neural processing. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of tDCS associated with Neurofeedback on declarative memory and cerebral blood flow in university students. METHODS In this work, we will use Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), a low-cost physical resource, easy to apply and few adverse effects, associated with a Neurofeedback resource. This, in turn, has been shown to be a training program capable of improving working memory function. RESULTS The trial began in December 2021 and we are currently performing the statistical analysis for the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS We believe that the resources used in this study can help improve some aspects of declarative memory, since learning and memory processes modify the brain. Strategies to enhance the acquisition, storage and use of information must be able to sensitize (motivate) and involve volunteers in the learning process, thus clarifying their role CLINICALTRIAL https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4m5j4s

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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex modulates declarative memory

Brain Stimulation ◽

10.1016/j.brs.2011.06.007 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 231-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 128

Author(s):

Amir Homayoun Javadi ◽

Vincent Walsh

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Declarative Memory ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal

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Oscillating Square Wave Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Delivered during Slow Wave Sleep Does Not Improve Declarative Memory More Than Sham: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Crossover Study

Brain Stimulation ◽

10.1016/j.brs.2016.11.042 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e8

Author(s):

Gregory L. Sahlem ◽

Bashar W. Badran ◽

Jonathan J. Halford ◽

Nolan R. Williams ◽

Jeffrey E. Korte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crossover Study ◽

Slow Wave ◽

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Slow Wave Sleep ◽

Declarative Memory ◽

Square Wave ◽

Direct Current Stimulation

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The effect of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation during rapid eye-movement sleep on neutral and emotional memory

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.172353 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (7) ◽

pp. 172353 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Johnson ◽

Simon J. Durrant

Keyword(s):

Word Recognition ◽

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Declarative Memory ◽

Recognition Task ◽

Positive Association ◽

Emotional Memory ◽

Emotional Word ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Theta Frequency

Sleep-dependent memory consolidation has been extensively studied. Neutral declarative memories and serial reaction time task (SRTT) performance can benefit from slow-wave activity, characterized by less than 1 Hz frequency cortical slow oscillations (SO). Emotional memories can benefit from theta activity, characterized by 4–8 Hz frequency cortical oscillations. Applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during sleep entrains specific frequencies to alter sleep architecture. When applying cathodal tDCS (CtDCS), neural inhibition or excitation may depend on the waveform at the applied frequency. A double dissociation was predicted, with CtDCS at SO frequency improving neutral declarative memory and SRTT performance, and theta frequency CtDCS inhibiting negative emotional memory. Participants completed three CtDCS conditions (Theta: 5 Hz, SO: 0.75 Hz and control: sham) and completed an SRTT and word recognition task pre- and post-sleep, comprising emotional and neutral words to assess memory. In line with predictions, CtDCS improved neutral declarative memory when applied at SO frequency. When applied at theta frequency, no negative emotional word memory impairment was found but a positive association was found between post-stimulation theta power and emotional word recognition. SRTT performance was also not altered by either CtDCS frequency. Future studies should investigate overnight theta CtDCS and examine the effects of CtDCS during and after stimulation.

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