Brain Stimulation

The development of experimental methods has been a key factor in the emergence of the scientific study of memory, and our understanding of memory processes has continued to advance with the advent of new experimental tools. Methods for stimulating the brain have drawn increasing attention from memory researchers and offer a powerful set of approaches for probing and manipulating the neural substrates of memory processes. Here, we describe methods for invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation and what is known about their influence on episodic memory. Advances in both invasive and non-invasive methods over time have led to a greater ability to target stimulation to specific neural populations and to affect particular memory states and processes. We also discuss possible clinical applications, and identify challenges that remain in using these tools for causal manipulation and investigation of neural activity and behavior. The potential for causal and predictable manipulation of memory will likely continue to interest researchers and suggests that stimulation methods will continue to play an important role in the cognitive neuroscience of human memory. By understanding the physiological consequences of stimulation on broad memory networks, researchers can accelerate the development of translational applications that leverage theoretical advances in memory science in order to benefit broad segments of society.