What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

The most common treatments for memory loss often involve pharmacological agents and behavioral therapies that target the brain's memory-related structures, such as the amygdala and medial temporal lobe. For instance, memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is used to regulate glutamate activity, which can help in reducing neuronal damage and improving cognitive function. Behavioral therapies may include techniques to enhance emotional engagement, which can activate the amygdala and improve the consolidation of long-term memories. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for memory loss patients as they highlight the importance of both chemical and emotional factors in memory retention, offering a more comprehensive approach to treatment.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for memory loss include cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine) and NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., memantine). Cholinesterase inhibitors can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and insomnia. Memantine may lead to dizziness, headache, confusion, and constipation. Non-pharmacological treatments like cognitive therapy generally have fewer side effects but may include mental fatigue and frustration. It's important to discuss these options and their potential side effects with a healthcare provider.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

FDA-approved treatments for memory loss primarily focus on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Drugs such as donepezil, galantamine, and memantine are commonly used. Donepezil and galantamine are cholinesterase inhibitors that work by increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which is important for memory and learning. Memantine, on the other hand, is an NMDA receptor antagonist that helps regulate glutamate activity to improve memory and cognition. While these treatments do not directly target amygdala activation or its interaction with medial temporal lobe structures, they aim to enhance overall cognitive function and memory retention, which aligns with the broader goal of improving long-term memory.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives for memory loss treatment in 2024 include: 1) Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), which has shown positive outcomes in treatment-resistant depression and may have potential for memory enhancement. 2) Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), particularly targeting areas involved in memory and cognition. 3) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which has been effective in reducing depressive relapses and may benefit cognitive functions. 4) Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation (tDCS), which has shown promise in enhancing neurocognition. These methods offer non-invasive or minimally invasive options that could be explored for their potential benefits in memory loss patients.

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Intracranial Stimulation for Memory Enhancement

N/A

Recruiting

Research Sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Diagnosed with epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy

Must not have

Not diagnosed with epilepsy

Unable to provide informed consent

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 5 years

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial uses small electrical pulses to stimulate a part of the brain called the amygdala. It targets patients with memory problems, such as those from brain injuries or PTSD. The treatment aims to improve memory by enhancing the brain's natural memory circuits, especially when emotions are involved. This method has been explored for various neurological and psychiatric conditions, including memory improvement and PTSD.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals who can consent to participate, have been diagnosed with epilepsy, and are scheduled for long-term video monitoring of seizures. They must be set to receive intracranial depth electrodes in specific brain regions related to memory.

What is being tested?

The study is testing the effects of stimulating the amygdala—a part of the brain—on memory functions. It aims to improve understanding relevant to conditions like traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder that affect memory.

What are the potential side effects?

While not explicitly stated, potential side effects may include discomfort at electrode sites, headaches, or changes in mood or cognition due to stimulation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I have been diagnosed with epilepsy.

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I have been diagnosed with epilepsy.

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I am scheduled for a long-term brain video monitoring to locate my seizure origins.

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I have electrodes implanted in specific parts of my brain.

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I have electrodes implanted in specific brain areas for monitoring.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have not been diagnosed with epilepsy.

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I am unable to understand and agree to the study's details on my own.

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I cannot understand or speak English.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 5 years

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~5 years

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Free recall memory discriminability index (proportion recalled)

Recognition memory discriminability index (proportion recalled)

Secondary study objectives

Amplitude of SPEP response to amygdala stimulation

LFP of bad memory state

Latency of SPEP response to amygdala stimulation

+2 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Brain StimulationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Neurosurgical epilepsy patients that undergo placement of medial temporal electrode for seizure localizations will be recruited. All participants will view a series of images of emotionally-neutral objects on a computer screen. After each item presentation, they will randomly undergo either active-BLAES or sham-stimulation. Over subsequent days, free recall and recognition memory for these items, relative to new distractor items will be tested. Memory for items presented with and without stimulation will be compared. Brain activity recorded in the medial temporal lobe during item presentations will be used to predict subsequent memory. Such good and bad memory states (biomarkers) will be used to perform closed-loop stimulation when bad memory states are detected in order to enhance subsequent memory.

0 / 8Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for memory loss often involve pharmacological agents and behavioral therapies that target the brain's memory-related structures, such as the amygdala and medial temporal lobe. For instance, memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is used to regulate glutamate activity, which can help in reducing neuronal damage and improving cognitive function. Behavioral therapies may include techniques to enhance emotional engagement, which can activate the amygdala and improve the consolidation of long-term memories. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for memory loss patients as they highlight the importance of both chemical and emotional factors in memory retention, offering a more comprehensive approach to treatment.