Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on cognitionand behaviour in aging

In previous studies, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) imp roved cognition and behaviour in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Th e rationale underlying these studies was that TENS could activate, e.g. the septo-hippocampal region and the hypothalamus through direct and indirect pathways. As these areas are also affected in normal aging, the present stu dy examined the effects of TENS on cognition and behaviour in nondemented e lderly persons. The results suggest an improvement in visual short-term and verbal long-term (recognition) memory, and semantic verbal fluency. Moreov er, stimulated elderly persons felt less depressed. Limitations are discuss ed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.