At a Stockholm hospital in 1958, a 43-year-old engineer became the first person to receive an implanted pacemaker.

ECONOMIST: Paul Zoll

Unlike stimulation for treatment of Parkinson's or other issues, in which the brain is stimulated continuously or repeatedly with an implanted pacemaker-like device, memory in the latest study was improved by a single burst of current when administered in the right location as memories were being formed, according to Dr. Fried.

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The first pacemaker that could be implanted in patients came about the same time, from a then tiny firm called Medtronic.

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I'm asymptomatic, nothing shows externally with respect to that, but it does raise the possibility that I may need to have implanted sort of -- I think of it as a pacemaker-plus.

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It is similar to Dr Echt's leadless pacemaker, but it uses electromagnetic induction, rather than ultrasound, to stimulate a small implanted receiver, which in turn stimulates the heart.

ECONOMIST: Case history