TY - JOUR TI - Making memories last using the peripheral effect of direct current stimulation AU - Luckey, Alison M AU - McLeod, Lauren S AU - Huang, Yuefeng AU - Mohan, Anusha AU - Vanneste, Sven A2 - Davachi, Lila A2 - de Lange, Floris P A2 - Wahlstrom, Krista L VL - 12 PY - 2023 DA - 2023/05/19 SP - e75586 C1 - eLife 2023;12:e75586 DO - 10.7554/eLife.75586 UR - https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.75586 AB - Most memories that are formed are forgotten, while others are retained longer and are subject to memory stabilization. We show that non-invasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the greater occipital nerve (NITESGON) using direct current during learning elicited a long-term memory effect. However, it did not trigger an immediate effect on learning. A neurobiological model of long-term memory proposes a mechanism by which memories that are initially unstable can be strengthened through subsequent novel experiences. In a series of studies, we demonstrate NITESGON’s capability to boost the retention of memories when applied shortly before, during, or shortly after the time of learning by enhancing memory consolidation via activation and communication in and between the locus coeruleus pathway and hippocampus by plausibly modulating dopaminergic input. These findings may have a significant impact for neurocognitive disorders that inhibit memory consolidation such as Alzheimer’s disease. KW - behavioral tagging KW - locus coeruleus KW - dopamine KW - interference KW - brain stimulation JF - eLife SN - 2050-084X PB - eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd ER -