Transcutaneous
electrical stimulation (tES) is a new approach that aims to stimulate
the brain. Recently, we have developed tES approaches to enhance
plasticity that modulate cortical activity via the greater occipital
nerve (ON) in a “bottom-up” way. Thirty subjects between the ages of 55
and 70 years were enrolled and tested using a double-blind,
sham-controlled, and randomized design. Half of the participants
received active stimulation, while the other half received sham
stimulation. Our results demonstrate that ON-tES can enhance memory in
older individuals after one session, with effects persisting up to 28
days after stimulation. The hypothesized mechanism by which ON-tES
enhances memory is activation of the locus coeruleus–noradrenaline
(LC-NA) pathway. It is likely that this pathway was activated after
ON-tES, as supported by observed changes in α-amylase concentrations, a
biomarker for noradrenaline. There were no significant or long-lasting
side effects observed during stimulation. Clinicaltrial.gov
(NCT03467698).
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