Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Episodic Memory in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

Rosa ManentiPhD, Marco SandriniPhD, Elena GobbiMSc, Giuliano BinettiMD, Maria CotelliPhD and CPsych Nicole AndersonPhD

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2020, vol. 75, issue 7, 1403-1413

Abstract: ObjectivesEpisodic memory is impaired in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which is posited as a potential prodromal form of Alzheimer’s disease. Reactivated existing memories become sensitive to modification during reconsolidation. There is evidence that the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays causal role in episodic memory reconsolidation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the PFC after a contextual reminder enhanced episodic memory performance up to 1 month, conceivably through reconsolidation, in older adults with subjective memory complaints, a condition that may represent a “pre-mild cognitive impairment” stage. The aim of this pilot study was to test the effect of PFC-tDCS (anode over left lateral PFC, cathode over right supraorbital area) after a contextual reminder on episodic memory in older adults with aMCI.MethodOlder adults with aMCI learned a list of words. Twenty-four hours later, tDCS (Active or Sham) was applied after a contextual reminder. Memory retrieval (free recall and recognition) was tested 48 hrs and 1 month after the learning session.ResultsActive tDCS enhanced recognition memory relative to Sham stimulation.DiscussionModulating reconsolidation with PFC-tDCS might be a novel intervention to enhance episodic memories in aMCI.

Keywords: MCI; tDCS; Reconsolidation; Prefrontal cortex; Episodic memory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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