An Investigation of the Modulating Effects of Sensory Stimulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Memory-Related Brain Activity
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brainsci-15-01182.pdf
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Author(s)
Nikolin, Stevan
Wang, Matthew
Moffa, Adriano
Huang, Haijing
Xu, Mei
Pande, Siddhartha Raj
Martin, Donel
Date Issued
October 31, 2025
Journal
Brain Sciences
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Citation
Nikolin, S., Wang, M., Moffa, A., Huang, H., Xu, M., Pande, S. R., & Martin, D. (2025). An Investigation of the Modulating Effects of Sensory Stimulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Memory-Related Brain Activity. Brain Sciences, 15(11), 1182.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Background/Objectives: As the global population ages, the prevalence of disorders associated with memory dysfunction (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) continues to increase. There is a need for novel interventions that can enhance memory and support affected individuals. Non-invasive brain stimulation provides a promising approach to engage circuits within the hippocampal network, a group of brain regions critical for episodic memory, and thereby improve cognition. Methods: Twenty healthy participants completed a single-blind, within-subject crossover study over four sessions. In each session, they received one of four interventions whilst viewing pictures of real-world objects: 40 Hz synchronised audiovisual stimulation (AVS), theta burst stimulation (TBS), a combination of synchronised 5 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with AVS (rTMS + AVS), or sham rTMS. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded to measure associated brain activity changes. Following each intervention, participants completed a recognition memory task. Results: Mixed-effect repeated measure models (MRMMs) revealed no significant differences in recognition memory performance or theta (5 Hz) activity across conditions. However, both TBS and rTMS + AVS significantly increased gamma (40 Hz) activity compared to sham rTMS, and TBS induced a widespread increase in theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling during picture viewing. Conclusions: While the neuromodulatory interventions did not enhance memory performance, the observed increase in gamma activity, particularly following rTMS-based stimulation, suggests potential engagement of neural processes associated with memory. These findings warrant further investigation into the role of gamma oscillations in memory and cognitive enhancement.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15111182
