Or Dezachyo
Sagol School of Neuroscience
Enhancing episodic memory via state-dependent brain stimulation
Project description
Episodic memory,the ability to remember events and experiences,is a core component of learning. Brain activity during memory formation follows rhythmic patterns, particularly in the theta frequency, which are thought to reflect moments when the brain is more or less ready to learn. However, current brain-stimulation approaches aimed at improving memory do not take these natural fluctuations into account, which may limit their effectiveness. Understanding when the brain is most receptive to learning is therefore a key challenge in the science of learning.
This project uses a real-time brain-stimulation approach to align stimulation with ongoing brain activity during memory formation. By combining EEG recordings with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), stimulation is delivered to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex at specific moments within the brain’s natural theta rhythm while participants perform a memory task. Comparing memory performance across different stimulation timings will reveal whether precise alignment with brain state can enhance learning. The results will inform the development of brain-state-dependent stimulation methods, with potential longterm relevance for improving learning and memory in both healthy individuals and clinical populations.
About me
Neuroscience PhD student specializing in human memory, brain dynamics, and noninvasive brain stimulation. My research focuses on how neural states shape learning and memory, using EEG, TMS, and computational methods. I am training at the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University.