A new study by UCI neurobiologists suggests that the brain uses a unique coding system to store memories. When this code is used, information is stored in more brain cells, resulting in stronger memories. However, if the code is not used, memories may be weaker due to fewer neurons involved.
Researchers in Montreal have made a groundbreaking discovery about the genetic basis of memory. They found that the GCN2 protein inhibits long-term memory storage, preventing new information from being stored for extended periods.
Researchers at U of MN successfully reversed memory loss in mice with dementia, using a transgene to halt disease progression and even increase tangles. This breakthrough study suggests that reversing effects of memory loss may be possible in humans.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis shows that people with schizophrenia can remember things just as well as healthy subjects with proper cues and memory aids. The research suggests a new way to understand the cognitive problems underlying schizophrenia, offering hope for more effective cognitive rehabilitation programs.
Researchers found that combining SGS742 with Aricept improves memory in rats by altering gene control machinery involved in long-term memory consolidation. The combination therapy protocol may provide a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease symptoms and improve patient quality of life.
University of Houston professor Arnold Eskin's research suggests the biological clock regulates long-term memory formation, with neural circuits shutting down at night. His studies on Aplysia reveal that circadian rhythms influence memory formation, but not short-term memory.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that explains how the brain carries out working memory tasks, including loading, holding, and comparing information. The model makes predictions about the neurological basis of working memory.
Adolescent smokers showed impairments in accuracy of working memory performance, with males more affected. Those trying to quit smoking also experienced further disruption of working memory.
Researchers at Northwestern University propose a new theory that challenges the widely accepted model of long-term memory storage. According to this new theory, memories are stored through a dynamic and meta-stable process, rather than permanent representation in the brain.
Researchers have discovered that marine snails and humans share identical cellular mechanisms for learning and memory, which could lead to breakthroughs in understanding age-related memory loss and developing interventions for people with memory disorders. The study may also shed light on the role of protein synthesis in long-term memory.
Research found that toxic amyloid ß-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs) specifically attack and disrupt synapses in the brain, leading to memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. Understanding how ADDLs target specific neurons and synapses could lead to new therapeutic drugs capable of reversing memory loss.
A study found that people with multiple sclerosis who took an Alzheimer's medication showed significant improvements in memory and cognitive function compared to those taking a placebo. The treatment had no serious side effects, but its long-term effectiveness remains unknown.
Research by Emory University scientists found that chronic viral infections fail to develop long-term immune memory cells due to poor cytokine response. The study suggests that rest from antigen exposure is crucial for developing these memory cells.
Working memory develops and improves with maturity, allowing voluntary control over behavior. Adults rely on a third brain area for optimal performance, whereas children and adolescents use different regions of the brain. This study informs understanding of thinking processes and may lead to new treatments for psychiatric illnesses.
A study by Yale University found that estrogen has no impact on memory in mice living in enriched environments, but improves spatial memory in those with standard conditions. The results suggest that estrogen benefits mice from un-stimulating environments more than those raised in stimulating ones.
A new protein called mBDNF has been found to play a crucial role in forming long-term memories. The discovery opens up possibilities for studying the protein in people with disorders of learning and memory, as well as developing new medications to compensate for these problems.
A recent study published in Epilepsia found that selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) surgery can lead to verbal memory loss in patients, especially those who underwent left temporal lobe surgery. The study revealed that 30% to 50% of patients who underwent SAH on the left side showed no recovery of verbal memory after 12 months.
Researchers found that the temporoammonic (TA) projection is crucial for the dialog between the hippocampus and cortex after learning, suggesting a window of vulnerability for memory consolidation. The study opens up new avenues for exploring the role of sleep in memory formation.
Researchers created new memories in subjects and studied their recall in the laboratory using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). They found that recalling autobiographical memories activated similar brain areas as laboratory memories, but also distinct self-referential processing regions. This study provides new insights int...
Researchers at Boston University found that rats use recollection to recognize items they've recently experienced. The hippocampus plays a critical role in this process, similar to its function in humans. By studying rat brain activity, the team discovered evidence of both familiarity and recollection in rodents.
A new study found that children can beat most adults on recognition memory tests when using similarity-based induction, whereas adults use category-based induction which hinders their memory accuracy. The study shows that children's high memory accuracy is due to their ability to compare similarities between pictures.
Researchers are using primate behavioral memory tasks and infrared eye-tracking technology to identify patients with mild cognitive impairment. The study aims to detect impaired memory in humans before major brain damage occurs.
Researchers discover that drugs already being tested for cancer and Huntington's disease may help restore some memory capability to patients with RTS, a heritable disorder characterized by mental and growth retardation. The study found that restoring acetylation activity alleviates memory problems in mutant mice.
Researchers found that older adults with Alzheimer's symptoms can still use implicit memory to perform tasks, similar to young adults. By training these individuals using repetition and practice, their performance can be improved, according to a new study.
Scientists discovered that certain brain systems remain intact in individuals with Alzheimer's disease, enabling the retention of implicit memory capabilities. Structured training programs may be an effective approach to improving cognitive function.
A new study found that the brain's amygdala interacts with memory-related brain regions during emotional memory formation, contributing to its emotional resonance. The researchers discovered a significant correlation between activity in emotion- and memory-related brain regions during emotional memory formation.
A new study finds that estrogen therapy significantly improves verbal memory performance in men with advanced prostate cancer, while hormone deprivation impairs it. Estrogen also reduces depression and confusion in these patients.
New research suggests two distinct brain areas, the hippocampus and subiculum, work together to process and store information for short-term memory. This finding broadens understanding of how memory works and could lead to more sensitive tests and treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists have developed fruit flies with fluorescent genes to study memory formation, discovering that a specific set of neurons, called projection neurons, show increased active connections after learning. The new synaptic activity disappeared within minutes but the flies continued to avoid the odor they associated with the shock.
The study by ASU researchers could lead to smarter robots and a better understanding of how humans process patterns. Oscillatory associative memory networks have been shown to have high memory capacity, similar to the Hopfield network, but with oscillatory units instead of discrete states.
Researchers at UCLA deciphered the mystery of distant memory recall using a three-pronged experiment. They found that the anterior cingulate plays a special role in keeping early memories alive, while kinase II is critically involved in preserving our oldest memories.
Researchers at USC and NASA Ames have developed a novel transistor architecture using molecular-scale nanowire memory cells that can hold three bits of data each. The device achieves a density of 40 Gigabits per square centimeter, surpassing silicon-based memories.
Researchers found that Tourette syndrome patients' brain activity during memory tasks normalized after receiving levodopa treatment. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging and showed increased activity in certain brain regions, which decreased after treatment.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that 'reconsolidation' of a forgotten memory is not permanent, contradicting previous studies. The study's results challenge existing theories on memory storage and retrieval, suggesting that traumatic memories may be more resilient than previously thought.
Researchers discovered that the radish gene encodes a phospholipase-A2 enzyme, which plays a crucial role in anesthesia-resistant memory. The study found this enzyme is also involved in memory formation in chickens and rodents, suggesting a conserved mechanism across animal phyla.
A study of 1,036 individuals from 266 families discovered that genetics significantly impacts memory performance, accounting for up to 80% of the variation. The influence of genes on memory abilities was stronger than previously thought and appears to be relatively unaffected by the presence of Alzheimer's disease.
The study reveals a direct activational signal from the synapse to the protein synthesis machinery, enabling neurons to boost protein production rapidly during long-term memory formation and synaptic strengthening. This discovery has significant implications for understanding psychiatric and neurologic diseases, potentially leading to ...
Researchers found that regular ecstasy users experienced mainly long-term memory difficulties and were 23% more likely to report problems than non-users. Those who also used cannabis reported up to 20% more memory problems due to the 'double whammy' effect.
Researchers at Northwestern University have made a breakthrough in treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting the gene that causes memory loss. The study found that inhibiting an enzyme called BACE1 can prevent memory deficits and brain cell functional abnormalities in laboratory models of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that odor working memory is impaired by aging, while semantic memory remains relatively intact. The study suggests that different brain regions handle working and semantic memory, which may explain why odors are more vulnerable to age-related decline.
Researchers found that individuals vaccinated against smallpox maintained anti-smallpox antibodies for at least 60 years after vaccination. Memory B cells initially declined but then plateaued approximately ten times lower than their peak and remained stable for over 50 years.
Researchers found that memory-enhancing drugs increase PKA activity in the prefrontal cortex, impairing dynamic working memory in older animals. This suggests that these compounds may exacerbate age-dependent decline in working memory.
Scientists at Rice University develop a new technology that uses disordered nanowires and organic molecules to create functional memory devices. These 'NanoCells' can store information for more than a week without refreshment, far longer than traditional DRAM.
Researchers identified three stages of memory processing: creating memories (6 hours), stabilizing them during sleep, and recalling and refining them. These findings have implications for the treatment of neurological disorders like PTSD.
Paxil has been shown to improve memory and brain structure in PTSD sufferers, with clinically significant improvements in memory and concentration observed. The study found increased hippocampal volume and decreased cortisol levels, leading to relief of PTSD symptoms.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute have identified a new principle guiding brain memory systems, explaining inconsistencies in previous studies. This discovery may lead to the development of new methods for wiping out unwanted memories and treating psychological trauma.
Researchers have found small, soluble aggregated proteins called ADDLs in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, up to 70 times more than in normal individuals. These proteins may be reversibly blocking memory function, providing a potential target for new therapeutic drugs.
Research suggests that schizophrenia impairs habitual prospective memory, leading to high rates of non-adherence to medication. The study found that people with schizophrenia are more likely to forget to turn over a counter during an obstacle course test.
Researchers found that sleep deprivation zero to five hours after learning impaired spatial orientation and recognition of physical surroundings, but not recollection of specific facts or events. The findings suggest that sleep helps regulate neuronal function in the hippocampus during memory consolidation.
Research reveals that amyloid accumulation selectively reduces expression of genes essential for forming new memories, leading to early memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a new approach to treating the disease by blocking the effect of remaining amyloid on normal learning and memory.
Researchers Mark Gluck, Catherine Myers, and Martijn Meeter propose a novel interpretation of how the brain organizes sensory input into memories. They suggest that the entorhinal cortex handles incremental learning, while the hippocampus stores episodic memory.
A research team at NYU has identified cells in the hippocampus that signal new memory formation, shedding light on how associations are formed in the brain. The discovery is a major breakthrough in understanding the brain basis of memory and could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University find brain tangles in normal aging and mild cognitive impairment, correlating with memory loss. Neurofibrillary tangles are more numerous in brain regions associated with memory function, suggesting a link between tangle density and memory performance.
A brain scan technique called functional MRI reveals differences between healthy elderly persons and those with poor memory, indicating less effective data storage. This finding has implications for diagnosing normal memory problems versus the early stages of dementia.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identified 92 unique fruit fly memory genes that could be important for understanding human learning and memory. The study found that many of these genes have counterparts in humans and may be potential targets for developing therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Elderly persons who developed dementia showed similar performance in word pair memory tests without semantic link as those without dementia. However, implicit recall tests improved prediction of dementia risk. Researchers recommend using memory tests that also consider semantic and implicit memory.
A study has identified a specific human gene variant, nicknamed 'met,' that affects memory and hippocampal function in humans. Individuals inheriting at least one copy of the 'met' version showed lower verbal episodic memory scores compared to those with two copies of the more common 'val' version.
Research shows that memories in the amygdala and hippocampus can be reactivated and require protein synthesis for restoration, contradicting long-held theories of memory storage. Dr. Nader's findings also explain false memory syndrome by revealing the biological basis of reconsolidation.
Researchers have discovered a new structure in the human brain linked to learning and memory, called the marginal division (MrD). This pan-shaped structure, composed of spindle-shaped neurons, plays a key role in linking other memory-related structures.
A controlled study found that memory training improved recalling people's names among participants with mild to minimal Alzheimer's Disease. Those who were more aware of their failing memories showed the most improvement.