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.

WSJ: Memory Gets Jolt in Brain Research

Two years ago, she underwent a treatment call deep brain stimulation, which, along with "brain pacemakers" have improved her quality of life.

CNN: 'I had brain surgery while I was awake'

His aim is to come up with a treatment combining drugs, electrical stimulation and plasticity-based therapy to help the 700, 000 Americans each year who are left with some permanent impairment from a stroke.

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He said more effective treatment for Parkinson's could be developed if they could understand the effect of the stimulation.

BBC: Brain probed in Parkinson's study