The present disclosure is directed toward a drive method and circuit for a memory matrix panel which comprises a light-emitting body having hysteresis behavior responsive to application of a desired AC voltage, a plurality of horizontal electrodes disposed on a first major surface of the light-emitting body and a plurality of vertical electrodes disposed on a second major surface of the light-emitting body, each cross point of the both electrodes providing a light-emitting unit point in a matrix array. A period of the applied AC voltage includes at least three sections wherein, prior to the writing, erasing or reading of information, a horizontal maintenance pulse having an amplitude necessary to maintain light emittance is applied to the plurality of horizontal electrodes during the first section thereof and a vertical maintenance pulse having an amplitude necessary to maintain light emittance is applied to the vertical electrodes during the second section thereof. In order to perform the writing, erasing or reading of information on a selected cross point, the vertical (or horizontal) electrode associated with such point receives an enable pulse having the shape identical with that of the horizontal maintenance pulse but the phase shifted into the third section, whereas the associated horizontal (or vertical) electrode receives write, erase or read out each having a predetermined amplitude necessary to perform the write, erase or read operation, the respective amplitude being superimposed on the enable pulse.