Scientists develop memory prosthesis to restore people’s memory after brain damage

Human brain illustrated with millions of small nerves — © Ars Electronica. Used under a Creative Commons (CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0) licence.

Research made by scientists at University of Southern California found a new technique where electric signals via implanted electrodes can be used to boost people’s memory.

The technique works by mimicking the brain’s hippocampus activity, in where our memory is created and activated.

So far, it has been tested on volunteers with epilepsy, who already have brain implantations. The participants conducted multiple memory tests, and the new technique improved the result by 11 to 54 per cent.

In the long run, the scientists hope to use the technique as a memory prosthesis to restore memory in people with memory disorders due to brain injuries, ageing, or diseases like Alzheimer’s.