No âmbito do projeto 495/14 - Episodic memory enhancement in aging: the role of cognitive training combined with (bilateral) tDCS in the medial-temporal cortex and cerebellum on episodic memory performance in the elderly, financiado pela Fundação BIAL, a equipa de investigação publicou o artigo The cerebellum is causally involved in episodic memory under aging na revista científica GeroScience. O estudo demonstrou que a estimulação não invasiva do cerebelo direito conduziu a melhorias no desempenho da memória episódica em idosos saudáveis, imediatamente após o programa de intervenção de 12 sessões, e decorridos 4 meses após a intervenção.
ABSTRACT
Episodic memory decline is a major signature of both normal and pathological aging. Many neural regions have been implicated in the processes subserving both episodic memory and typical aging decline. Here, we demonstrate that the cerebellum is causally involved episodic memory under aging. We show that a 12-day neurostimulation program delivered to the right cerebellum led to improvements in episodic memory performance under healthy aging that long outlast the stimulation period — healthy elderly individuals show episodic memory improvement both immediately after the intervention program and in a 4-month follow-up. These results demonstrate the causal relevance of the cerebellum in processes associated with long-term episodic memory, potentially highlighting its role in regulating and maintaining cognitive processing. Moreover, they point to the importance of non-pharmacological interventions that prevent or diminish cognitive decline in healthy aging.
