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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Memory Enhancement

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Memory Enhancement

Published on: September 18, 2021

Visual memory improved by non-invasive brain stimulation.

Richard P Chi¹, Felipe Fregni, Allan W Snyder

¹Centre for the Mind, Main Quadrangle (A14), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

|August 5, 2010

Summary

Non-invasive brain stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance visual memory. Specifically, bilateral stimulation of the anterior temporal lobes improved visual memory by 110% in neurotypical individuals.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Brain Stimulation

Background:

Visual memories are prone to errors.
Individuals with a more literal cognitive style exhibit greater accuracy in visual recall.
This suggests a potential link between cognitive style and visual memory fidelity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if non-invasive brain stimulation can improve visual memory in neurotypical individuals.
To explore the effects of bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the anterior temporal lobes.
To determine the optimal stimulation polarity for enhancing visual memory.

Main Methods:

13 minutes of bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the anterior temporal lobes.

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Memory Enhancement

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Memory Enhancement

Published on: September 18, 2021

Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke

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Three conditions were tested: left cathodal/right anodal, left anodal/right cathodal, and sham stimulation.

Each condition involved 12 neurotypical participants.

Main Results:

Left cathodal and right anodal stimulation significantly improved visual memory by 110%.
This enhancement level was comparable to the advantage observed in individuals with autism.
Stimulation with the opposite polarity (left anodal/right cathodal) did not yield any memory improvement.

Conclusions:

Bilateral tDCS of the anterior temporal lobes can effectively enhance visual memory in healthy individuals.
The specific polarity of left cathodal and right anodal stimulation is crucial for this memory enhancement.
This study provides the first evidence for non-invasive brain stimulation-induced visual memory improvement in healthy populations.