{"id":69303,"date":"2023-03-29T10:16:02","date_gmt":"2023-03-29T16:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=69303"},"modified":"2025-10-14T08:23:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T14:23:00","slug":"study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/","title":{"rendered":"Can electrical stimulation prod memory in epilepsy patients?"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\"Katy
Katy Thomas and her husband Geoff enjoy a night out. Photo courtesy of Katy Thomas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The miracle of memory is that events of the past can live again. The brain retrieves images and words both vital and trivial: the face and voice of a loved one, the sights and sounds of a childhood walk in the park, the shelf holding jars of olives in the supermarket or a scrap of passing conversation.<\/p>\n

But age and disease can eat away at memory, both in the short- and long-term, diminishing the brain\u2019s ability to recall and removing threads from the tapestry of life.<\/p>\n

One of those conditions is epilepsy. The electrical storms in the brain that contribute to various kinds of seizures can rob individuals of blocks of time forever. In some cases, chronic seizures can impair the brain\u2019s memory-making permanently.<\/p>\n

But is it possible to prod the brain to remember better? That is the subject of a study recently begun at the University of Colorado \u2013 Anschutz Medical Campus<\/a>. The multi-center trial, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke<\/a>, tests whether timed pulses of electrical stimulation, delivered to targeted areas of the brain, could improve a person\u2019s ability to store and retrieve the elements that are the stuff of memory.<\/p>\n

The connection between epilepsy and memory loss<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Dr. Aaron Geller<\/a>, assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine<\/a>, leads the study at CU. He noted that \u201cepilepsy and memory intersect in multiple ways.\u201d For example, tonic-clonic seizures (often called grand mal) nearly always interfere with memory, simply because they can render a person unconscious, he said.<\/p>\n

Focal onset impaired awareness seizures<\/a> (or partial complex), which affect a small area of the brain, can cause relatively brief periods of unawareness that also contribute to memory loss. These seizures create abnormal brain rhythms that disrupt areas \u201ccritical for being conscious and processing the flow of information,\u201d Geller said. The result is a \u201ctemporary disruption in forming new memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, epilepsy can cause long-term memory loss in people who suffer seizures in the brain\u2019s temporal lobe, a frequent site of attacks. The temporal lobe lies near the hippocampus \u2013 the brain\u2019s \u201cmost important memory circuitry,\u201d Geller said. Repeated seizures in this area can cause brain damage that wipes away memories over an extended period of time.<\/p>\n

Analyzing brain activity in medication-resistant epilepsy patients<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The memory study\u2019s subjects are those for whom anti-seizure medications have been ineffective \u2013 about one-third of all epilepsy patients, Geller said. The patients are enrolled in a separate surgical plan<\/a> that requires intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. The procedure involves drilling holes through the skull and placing electrodes on or in the brain. The aim: detect and monitor brain waves \u2013 the signs of the electrical weather in the brain.<\/p>\n

Patients then spend extended time in the epilepsy monitoring unit, where a team records and maps their brain activity. The aim: pinpoint areas of the brain where seizures occur. That information serves as a guide for surgeons to remove the tissue that drives the electrical storms of epilepsy.<\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Aaron Geller leads CU Anschutz Medical Campus study of using electrical stimulation to the brain to improve memory in patients with epilepsy. Photo by UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIf the tissue is in an area critical for functions like speech or movement, and therefore cannot be removed, treatment with an implanted neurostimulator device may be possible,\u201d Geller said. For example, the FDA-approved NeuroPace<\/a> device tracks brain waves in people with epilepsy and delivers targeted stimulation when brain activity signals a seizure.<\/p>\n

Rather than surgical planning, Geller and other memory study researchers aim to use the electrical mapping to scrutinize the brain waves that may pinpoint areas of diminished memory power. The hypothesis \u2013 grounded in studies previously conducted at the University of Pennsylvania<\/a> \u2013 is that low-performing memory areas of the brain can be improved with electrical stimulation \u2013 a \u201cnudge,\u201d as Geller puts it.<\/p>\n

Geller\u2019s research team observes the patient\u2019s brain rhythms during memory tests while they undergo EEG monitoring. The first tests occur without any stimulation. The team analyzes that data to build a computer model, based on the rhythms, that predicts whether the patient is in \u201chigh-performance or low-performance memory states,\u201d Geller said.<\/p>\n

Searching for memory markers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

How does the computer do that? Geller said the computer looks for \u201cbiomarkers\u201d of memory performance \u2013 that is, bits of electrical information extracted from the \u201cpeaks and troughs\u201d of brain activity that appear as rising and falling lines on a screen or sheet of paper. Just as a protein or other physical substance can be a biomarker of cancer, so too might brain wave patterns be a signal of high or low memory performance, Geller said.<\/p>\n

During several days of memory tests involving pictures, words, and stories, the computer analyzes the brain waves it receives from patients and controls the electrical stimulation it delivers. During the test, if the patient\u2019s brainwaves predict a low-performing memory state, the computer sends the stimulating electrical nudge that could produce improvements.<\/p>\n

The hope is that repeated tests will help improve knowledge of both the biomarkers that define healthy memory storage and retrieval and of the specific regions of the brain that might benefit from stimulation, Geller said.<\/p>\n

An unexpected struggle with epilepsy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Katy Thomas was the first patient enrolled in Geller\u2019s trial. Her participation is only one piece of a complex battle with epilepsy that she hopes will resolve in the coming weeks and months.<\/p>\n

\"Katy,
Katy, seated, second from left, with her family. To her left are sons Luke, Sam and Jack. Photo courtesy of Katy Thomas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her struggle began in 2017. Her husband, Geoff, was startled when he walked into the kitchen of their house in Firestone and saw Katy sprawled unconscious on the floor. The incident was not only frightening but also mysterious because she had no memory of what had happened.<\/p>\n

Katy received CT and MRI scans of the brain that indicated she had had an epileptic seizure, which was quite a surprise. She was 38 and had experienced \u201cno signs or symptoms\u201d of epilepsy until the kitchen attack.<\/p>\n

Two years of a changing regimen of anti-seizure medications followed, during which Katy worked and she and Geoff raised their three boys, Sam, Jack and Luke, now 15, 12 and 10, respectively. But one morning in 2019, her epilepsy took a nearly deadly turn.<\/p>\n

Heeding the danger signs of epilepsy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The kids had asked for doughnuts, so Katy hopped in the car alone to make a short drive to a shop in neighboring Dacono to get some. She put the box of donuts in the car and began backing out of the parking lot. The next thing she knew, she was being hoisted into an ambulance.<\/p>\n

The incident was a void in her mind. She learned at the hospital that she\u2019d lost consciousness shortly after putting the car in reverse. Without her control, the car rolled down an embankment to a green belt, flipped over and was totaled. Fortunately, she did not hit a person or another car.<\/p>\n

Katy was only slightly injured in the mishap, but the accident was a turning point for her. She immediately turned over her driver\u2019s license and was determined to find a more effective treatment for her epilepsy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, ‘I am not going to risk my life or anybody else\u2019s life or property,”’ Katy said. \u201cThe accident was a wake-up call that this is more serious than taking medications and trying to deal with [epilepsy]. We need to figure this out to have a better quality of life and function the way I want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surgery to remove the seizure-prone tissue in the brain<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After the accident, Katy began work with UCHealth epilepsy specialist Dr. Jacob Pellinen<\/a>, who tried, ultimately without success, to control her seizures with different combinations of medications. She opted for more testing, including MRI and CT scans; a neuropsychological evaluation to track her memory, speech and motor functions; and finally, the EEG procedure and 10-day stay in the epilepsy monitoring unit that included her participation in Geller\u2019s memory study.<\/p>\n

During her stint in the monitoring unit, Katy had some 18 seizures \u2013 obviously unpleasant, but a gold mine of electrical evidence about her epilepsy. The activity revealed that Katy\u2019s seizures originate in the right anterior temporal lobe of the brain, the most common site for the focal onset impaired awareness seizures that plague her with bouts of disconnection from her surroundings, including loss of consciousness.<\/p>\n

A 10-person board that included Pellinen, her neurologist, Dr. Richard Gross<\/a> and neurosurgeon Dr. Steven Ojemann<\/a> unanimously recommended that surgery to remove the seizure-prone tissue in her brain would give her the best chance for a seizure-free recovery. She agreed and underwent the procedure successfully on March 2. She said she was scared but also determined that surgery was her best chance to free herself from the tyranny of her epilepsy.<\/p>\n

\"Katy\u2019s
Katy\u2019s sons. Left to right: Jack, Sam and Luke. Photo courtesy of Katy Thomas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got boys to take care of and a life to live with my husband and my best friends,\u201d Katy said. \u201cI\u2019m still young and have things I want to do. I\u2019m sick of being sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

A chance to understand memory loss and epilepsy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

She also hopes the surgery will improve the memory loss that is part of epilepsy\u2019s burden.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest change is in my short-term memory, which is just awful,\u201d Katy said. \u201cI don\u2019t remember things the children have said. I\u2019m constantly writing notes and setting alarms and reminders on my phone.\u201d People she met a month ago quickly become distant memories.<\/p>\n

She consented to join Geller\u2019s study to advance knowledge about epilepsy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did it because there is no reason not to,\u201d Katy said. \u201cIf it benefits other people and others can learn from it, then that\u2019s great for me. The study made me feel proud that I was doing something to help in the field of epilepsy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Geller said the study points to the possible future of epilepsy treatment. For example, knowledge gleaned from it could advance development of an implantable \u201cneuroprosthetic system\u201d that boosts memory with timed electrical stimulation to specific parts of the brain, an approach similar to the NeuroPace device.<\/p>\n

Memory-boosting technology could also help people who don\u2019t suffer from epilepsy, Geller added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the U.S. population is aging,\u201d he said. \u201cAs we do, memory will become an increasingly big factor that affects quality of life. A memory stimulation system has the potential to improve the lives of a huge number of people. In principle, this trial is about improving memory for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more information about the trial, contact Neurology Research: <\/em>neurologyresearchpartners@cuanschutz.edu<\/em><\/a> or 303-724-4644.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The miracle of memory is that events of the past can live again. The brain retrieves images and words both vital and trivial: the face and voice of a loved one, the sights and sounds of a childhood walk in the park, the shelf holding jars of olives in the supermarket or a scrap of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2143,"featured_media":69307,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[167,9263,184,4624],"class_list":["post-69303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-innovative-care","tag-clinical-trials","tag-epilepsy","tag-neurology","tag-neurosciences-outcomes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEpilepsy and memory loss: studying electrical stimulation - UCHealth Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A study focuses on epilepsy and memory loss and tests whether timed and focused electrical pulses can stimulate the brain to recall memories.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can electrical stimulation prod memory in epilepsy patients?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A study focuses on epilepsy and memory loss and tests whether timed and focused electrical pulses can stimulate the brain to recall memories.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"UCHealth Today\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uchealthorg\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-03-29T16:16:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-14T14:23:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tyler Smith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@uchealth\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@uchealth\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tyler Smith\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tyler Smith\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/person\/98c85c0e40c4933eedcec2cd054f349d\"},\"headline\":\"Can electrical stimulation prod memory in epilepsy patients?\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-03-29T16:16:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-14T14:23:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/\"},\"wordCount\":1837,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Clinical trials\",\"epilepsy\",\"Neurology\",\"Neurosciences outcomes\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Innovative care\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/\",\"name\":\"Epilepsy and memory loss: studying electrical stimulation - UCHealth Today\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-03-29T16:16:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-14T14:23:00+00:00\",\"description\":\"A study focuses on epilepsy and memory loss and tests whether timed and focused electrical pulses can stimulate the brain to recall memories.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp\",\"width\":800,\"height\":600,\"caption\":\"Katy, seated, second from left, with her family. To her left are sons Luke, Sam and Jack. Photo courtesy of Katy Thomas.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Can electrical stimulation prod memory in epilepsy patients?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/\",\"name\":\"UCHealth Today\",\"description\":\"UCHealth Today\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#organization\",\"name\":\"UCHealth\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/24135149\/UCHealth-square-logo-1000x1000-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/24135149\/UCHealth-square-logo-1000x1000-1.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":1000,\"caption\":\"UCHealth\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uchealthorg\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/uchealth\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uchealth\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/14839\/\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/uchealthorg\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC41SJI79yjZIe96OajzN22g\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/person\/98c85c0e40c4933eedcec2cd054f349d\",\"name\":\"Tyler Smith\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9cf06f094860ff4c88dfe85d3c79a05724744cb3f865253e7b928d904aaad8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9cf06f094860ff4c88dfe85d3c79a05724744cb3f865253e7b928d904aaad8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9cf06f094860ff4c88dfe85d3c79a05724744cb3f865253e7b928d904aaad8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Tyler Smith\"},\"description\":\"Tyler Smith has been a health care writer, with a focus on hospitals, since 1996. He served as a writer and editor for the Marketing and Communications team at University of Colorado Hospital and UCHealth from 2007 to 2017. More recently, he has reported for and contributed stories to the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the Colorado School of Public Health and the Colorado Bioscience Association.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/author\/smiths3\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Epilepsy and memory loss: studying electrical stimulation - UCHealth Today","description":"A study focuses on epilepsy and memory loss and tests whether timed and focused electrical pulses can stimulate the brain to recall memories.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Can electrical stimulation prod memory in epilepsy patients?","og_description":"A study focuses on epilepsy and memory loss and tests whether timed and focused electrical pulses can stimulate the brain to recall memories.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/","og_site_name":"UCHealth Today","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uchealthorg\/","article_published_time":"2023-03-29T16:16:02+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-14T14:23:00+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Tyler Smith","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@uchealth","twitter_site":"@uchealth","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Tyler Smith","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/"},"author":{"name":"Tyler Smith","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/person\/98c85c0e40c4933eedcec2cd054f349d"},"headline":"Can electrical stimulation prod memory in epilepsy patients?","datePublished":"2023-03-29T16:16:02+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-14T14:23:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/"},"wordCount":1837,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp","keywords":["Clinical trials","epilepsy","Neurology","Neurosciences outcomes"],"articleSection":["Innovative care"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/","url":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/","name":"Epilepsy and memory loss: studying electrical stimulation - UCHealth Today","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp","datePublished":"2023-03-29T16:16:02+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-14T14:23:00+00:00","description":"A study focuses on epilepsy and memory loss and tests whether timed and focused electrical pulses can stimulate the brain to recall memories.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/03\/29100451\/Epilepsy-and-Memory-2-Katy-and-Familyeee.webp","width":800,"height":600,"caption":"Katy, seated, second from left, with her family. To her left are sons Luke, Sam and Jack. Photo courtesy of Katy Thomas."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/study-focuses-on-epilepsy-and-memory-loss-using-electrical-stimulation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Can electrical stimulation prod memory in epilepsy patients?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/","name":"UCHealth Today","description":"UCHealth Today","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#organization","name":"UCHealth","url":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/24135149\/UCHealth-square-logo-1000x1000-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/24135149\/UCHealth-square-logo-1000x1000-1.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"caption":"UCHealth"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uchealthorg\/","https:\/\/x.com\/uchealth","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uchealth\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/14839\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/uchealthorg\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC41SJI79yjZIe96OajzN22g"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/#\/schema\/person\/98c85c0e40c4933eedcec2cd054f349d","name":"Tyler Smith","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9cf06f094860ff4c88dfe85d3c79a05724744cb3f865253e7b928d904aaad8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9cf06f094860ff4c88dfe85d3c79a05724744cb3f865253e7b928d904aaad8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9cf06f094860ff4c88dfe85d3c79a05724744cb3f865253e7b928d904aaad8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Tyler Smith"},"description":"Tyler Smith has been a health care writer, with a focus on hospitals, since 1996. He served as a writer and editor for the Marketing and Communications team at University of Colorado Hospital and UCHealth from 2007 to 2017. More recently, he has reported for and contributed stories to the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the Colorado School of Public Health and the Colorado Bioscience Association.","url":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/author\/smiths3\/"}]}},"coauthors":[{"id":2143,"name":"Tyler Smith","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/author\/smiths3\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69303"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69303\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77357,"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69303\/revisions\/77357"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}