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Day services benefit patients with Alzheimer's disease

A study of 161 Japanese adults with Alzheimer's disease found that day service users experienced significant improvements in cognitive function over six months. The Mini-Mental State Examination scores showed notable enhancements in orientation, attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills.

SourceWiley·JournalPsychogeriatrics·DateMay 6, 2020

New therapeutic targets for treating memory impairment in Down syndrome

A team of researchers has discovered that neural networks relevant to memory and learning are over-activated and connectivity is poor in mice with Down syndrome. Chronic treatment with epigallocatechin gallate improves memory deficits. The study identifies biomarkers in brain rhythms that can predict memory deficits.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2020

Regular walnut consumption linked to health and longevity in women, according to new study

A new epidemiological study found that women consuming at least two servings of walnuts per week had a greater likelihood of healthy aging compared to those who did not eat walnuts. The study, supported by the California Walnut Commission, suggests that adopting simple habits like snacking on walnuts can help slow down the effects of a...

SourceEdelman Public Relations, Seattle·JournalJournal of Aging Research·DateFeb 25, 2020

Memory games: Eating well to remember

A study of 139,000 older Australians found strong links between certain food groups, such as fruit, vegetables, and protein-rich foods, and reduced memory loss and comorbid heart disease. Age-specific dietary guidelines may be necessary to prevent cognitive impairment in older populations.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalInternational Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 17, 2020

Are bigger brains better?

A larger hippocampus may not guarantee better memory in older adults, with a new study highlighting the significance of its white matter connectivity. The research analyzed over 330 participants and found that faster learning was only seen in those with both a larger hippocampus and uniform white matter structure.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateJan 16, 2020

Memory boost with just one look

Researchers at HRL Laboratories found that targeted transcranial electrical stimulation during slow-wave sleep can improve metamemories of specific episodes by nearly 20% after just one viewing. This non-invasive approach may benefit patients with learning and memory deficits, as well as those with PTSD.

SourceHRL Laboratories·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJan 14, 2020

Brain waves in mice change based on memory age

A team at RIKEN Center for Brain Science analyzed mouse brain activity using machine-learning algorithms, identifying distinct brain waves for recent and remote memories. They found a strong link between the frontal brain region and hippocampus, suggesting a possible mechanism to track memory age.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 17, 2019

Statins not associated with memory or cognition decline in elderly, may be protective in some patients

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found no association between statin use and memory or cognitive decline in elderly patients. Statin users showed similar cognitive performance to never-users, suggesting potential protective effects in this population.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 18, 2019

Rest may help reduce PTSD symptoms, UCL study finds

A new UCL study has found that a period of rest following a traumatic event can reduce the development of involuntary 'memory intrusions' in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study suggests that increasing memory consolidation, which involves storing and contextualizing memories, may help prevent these disturbances.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 9, 2019

Anticipating performance can hinder memory

A study by the University of Waterloo found that anticipating performance at work or school can hinder memory recall. The presence of an audience may also contribute to this effect. Researchers suggest strategies like presenting first to avoid pre-performance anxiety.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Memory and Language·DateOct 3, 2019

Zika virus infects the adult human brain and causes memory deficits in animal models

Researchers found that Zika virus replicates in adult human brain tissue and impairs synapse function and memory in infected mice. The study showed that the virus causes a strong inflammatory response, leading to microglia activation and synapse damage, resulting in memory loss.