Deep brain stimulation modifies cognitive function

The advent of brain stimulation techniques to treat movement disorders and psychiatric diseases has shown potential to decode the neural mechanism that underlies the cognitive process, by modulating the interrupted circuit. Given the increased interest in deciphering of the cognitive process, brain stimulation is under vigorous examination to explore its potential ability in facilitating cognitive function. Clinical studies involving brain stimulation have demonstrated increased cognition. Herein we summarize the cerebral circuits implicated in cognition and memory, and also proposed mechanisms that might underlie behavioral improvements after stimulation. Translational studies in animals and humans and technological advancements in bioengineering that expand the applicability of brain stimulation to ameliorate diseases with learning or memory impairment can be anticipated in the near future.