Closed-loop stimulation of temporal cortex rescues functional networks and improves memory

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Youssef Ezzyat, University of Pennsylvania; Paul A. Wanda, University of Pennsylvania; Deborah F. Levy, University of Pennsylvania; Allison Kadel, University of Pennsylvania; Ada Aka, University of Pennsylvania; Isaac Pedisich, University of Pennsylvania; Micheal R. Sperling, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; Ashwini D. Sharan, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; Bradley C. Lega, University of Texas Southwestern; Alexis Burks, University of Texas Southwestern; Robert Gross, Emory University; Cory S. Inman, Emory University; Barbara C. Jobst, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center; Mark A. Gorenstein, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center; Kathryn A. Davis, University of Pennsylvania; Gregory A. Worrell, Mayo Clinic; Michal T. Kucewicz, Mayo Clinic; Joel M. Stein, University of Pennsylvania; Richard Gorniak, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; Sandhitsu R. Das, University of Pennsylvania; Daniel S. Rizzuto, University of Pennsylvania; Michael J. Kahana, University of Pennsylvania
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-02-06
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group: Nature Communications
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 The Author(s).
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02753-0
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Nature Communications
• ISSN: 2041-1723
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 365
• End Page: 365
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the DARPA Restoring Active Memory (RAM) program (Cooperative Agreement N66001-14-2-4032).
• Keywords: LONG-TERM POTENTIATION; Science & Technology; DEEP-BRAIN-STIMULATION; HIGH-FREQUENCY ACTIVITY; SUBSEQUENT MEMORY; CORTICAL STIMULATION; VERBAL MEMORY; NEURAL ACTIVITY; Science & Technology - Other Topics; EPISODIC MEMORY; SURFACE; Multidisciplinary Sciences; ELECTRICAL-STIMULATION
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Radiology; Psychology, General; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

Memory failures are frustrating and often the result of ineffective encoding. One approach to improving memory outcomes is through direct modulation of brain activity with electrical stimulation. Previous efforts, however, have reported inconsistent effects when using open-loop stimulation and often target the hippocampus and medial temporal lobes. Here we use a closed-loop system to monitor and decode neural activity from direct brain recordings in humans. We apply targeted stimulation to lateral temporal cortex and report that this stimulation rescues periods of poor memory encoding. This system also improves later recall, revealing that the lateral temporal cortex is a reliable target for memory enhancement. Taken together, our results suggest that such systems may provide a therapeutic approach for treating memory dysfunction.