Mild electric shocks to the brain may protect older people from memory loss

Researchers suggest this treatment could help Alzheimer's patients but critics are unsure

Giving mild electric shocks to the brain could protect older people from short-term and long-term memory loss, research suggests.

It remains unclear as to whether the approach could help people with dementia. Robert Reinhart, an assistant professor at Boston University and a co-author of the study, said memory loss was a normal symptom of cognitive decline experienced as we age, and that forgetfulness could affect decision-making, planning and learning, for example.