Articles tagged with Memory Disorders
A new review of OCD research by Adam Radomsky and colleagues found that cognitive science has drifted away from treating patients effectively. Instead, the study suggests focusing on individual beliefs about cognitive functioning, which can be worked with in therapy.
A study by Boston University neuroscientist Steve Ramirez shows that stimulating different parts of the brain can dial up or down a specific memory's emotional oomph. The hippocampus, a small structure in the brain, stores sensory and emotional information associated with memories.
Many Americans in their 50s and early 60s worry about declining brain health, taking supplements or doing puzzles to stave off brain decline. However, few have talked with their doctors about evidence-based ways to prevent memory loss, potentially missing out on proven strategies.
Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) is a newly-defined brain disorder resembling Alzheimer's disease but caused by misfolded TDP-43 protein. It affects 25% of individuals over 85 years old, causing gradual cognitive decline and impacting daily life.
Studies in rats reveal that highly demanding and rewarding experiences result in stronger memories due to replay processes in the hippocampus. This finding provides new insights into memory consolidation, which could lead to treatments that strengthen memories and better understand memory decline in diseases like dementia.
A new University of Maryland study reveals that acute exercise increases activation in the hippocampus and other key brain regions associated with memory. This finding suggests that single sessions of exercise can promote adaptations and improve network integrity, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found prolonged exposure therapy to be more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and heavy drinking in veterans with both conditions. The treatment also led to higher rates of PTSD remission compared to a coping skills therapy approach.
A pilot study found that transcranial magnetic stimulation temporarily increases activity in the brain's hippocampal-cortical network, leading to improved memory recall. The treatment showed temporary improvements in memory function compared to a placebo, with participants recalling memories 31% better after stimulation.
A new Northwestern University study found that electromagnetic pulses can improve memory in older adults with age-related memory loss, reversing it to the level of young adults. The technique targets the brain's memory center and rebuilds part of memory that helps recall everyday tasks.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that low scam awareness in older adults may be an early sign of impending mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The researchers observed a significant association between low scam awareness and Alzheimer disease pathology in the brain.
Scientists have discovered the native structure of AMPA receptors in rodent models, which may lead to new insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. The research could provide novel approaches for therapies by understanding how these receptors differ in people with devastating diseases.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth found that combined cognitive training with Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) improved executive functions, episodic memory, and subjective memory satisfaction in adults with mild cognitive impairment. However, tDCS failed to...
A new study from UCI scientists identifies an imbalance in the amygdala-hippocampal circuit that explains how people reactivate negative emotional memories. The finding may unlock new treatment approaches for PTSD and other mental disorders.
Researchers at Lancaster University have identified areas where technology can support people with depression by promoting positive memory recall. These areas include biosensors, technologies that actively prompt users to counteract negative thoughts and create positive memory banks.
A neuroimaging study identified unique brain activity patterns that predict poorer responses to talk therapy in patients with PTSD. Patients with impaired verbal memory and VAN function had poorer outcomes after psychotherapy, while those with intact verbal memory or normal VAN function were more responsive.
Neuroscientists identify 'extinction neurons' in the hippocampus that suppress fearful memories, but can also lead to relapse when activated. This discovery may help explain why exposure therapy sometimes stops working and could lead to new treatment options.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that enlarged perivascular spaces are associated with compromised cognitive skills in older adults. This challenges the long-held belief that these areas are harmless imaging markers.
A study found that administering propofol to humans immediately after reactivating a traumatic memory weakened its emotional strength. The results suggest a potential, noninvasive approach for treating anxiety and stress-related disorders.
A new study investigated the impact of high altitude exposure on short-term memory, identifying effects on spatial and verbal memory. The study found that high altitude exposure can lead to deficits in these aspects of cognition, affecting daily functioning.
A pilot study by Johns Hopkins researchers found decreases in GABA and glutamate in people with mild cognitive impairment compared to healthy individuals. The study used strong magnets to measure multiple brain metabolites simultaneously, potentially revealing the earliest changes in brain chemistry associated with dementia.
Researchers discover gene TIA1 helps the brain keep fearful memories in check, reducing PTSD-like behavior in female mice. The study highlights key role of TIA1 in essential biological processes and offers promising new target for combating PTSD.
Research finds that trauma-exposed individuals, regardless of PTSD status, struggle with suppressing memories. Neuroimaging data reveals reduced activation in the right middle frontal gyrus, a critical region for memory suppression, among trauma-exposed participants.
Researchers discovered a DNA modification that enhances fear extinction, enabling the brain to rapidly adapt to changing conditions. They found adenosine modifications in neurons involved in fear extinction, which increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and promote new non-fearful memories.
Researchers at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health develop new therapeutic molecules that rapidly improve memory symptoms and renew underlying brain impairments. The compounds target specific impaired brain receptors causing memory loss, reversing cognitive deficits and improving brain function.
A new study found that people with middle-age chronic inflammation may experience cognitive decline in the decades leading up to old age. Researchers discovered a correlation between high levels of inflammation and steeper declines in thinking and memory skills, particularly in areas of memory.
Researchers found that exercise increases brain levels of irisin, a hormone linked to improved memory and reduced Alzheimer's risk. Studies in mice suggest that irisin can protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline and may even help prevent or treat dementia.
Research found differences in gut microbiota between patients with and without dementia, with higher levels of ammonia and indole associated with increased dementia risk. Lower levels of beneficial Bacteroides organisms were also observed in dementia patients.
A Puerto Rico-based neuroscience lab, supported by NIH's National Institute of Mental Health, fosters intellectual growth and diversity among its young trainees through journal clubs, lab meetings, one-on-ones, and philosophy retreats. The lab has published over 80 papers and generates more than 2,000 citations annually.
Researchers at Iowa State University discovered a link between the satiety hormone Cholecystokinin and reduced Alzheimer's disease risk, with higher levels associated with a 65% decrease in cognitive impairment. The study suggests that dietary factors may play a role in preventing or slowing disease progression.
A multidisciplinary team has found a new connection between the lateral hypothalamus, a feeding center, and the hippocampus, a memory center, revealing how the protein complex NCOR1/2 regulates memory. The study sheds light on potential links to autism, intellectual disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent Baycrest study found that many older adults being evaluated for memory concerns had mild to severe hearing loss. Addressing hearing issues may mitigate or fix what appears to be a memory problem. Hearing loss is a common chronic condition affecting 50% of those over 65 and 90% of those over 80.
A mouse model of traumatic memory found that male mice recall fear-related memories better than female mice due to natural activation of cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in males. Artificial activation of Cdk5 reduced the strength of fear memories in female mice, highlighting sex differences in how fear is remembered.
A study found that moving more, even simple routine physical activity like housework, can protect the brain from damage and preserve memory and thinking skills. The study looked at 454 older adults and found that those who moved more had better thinking and memory skills compared to those who didn't.
A new study at the University of Birmingham reveals that when retrieving memories, the human brain focuses on the core meaning first and then recalls specific details. This reversed reconstruction process challenges our understanding of how memories are formed and retrieved.
Researchers found a link between decreased deep sleep and increased levels of the toxic brain protein tau, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that poor-quality sleep may be an early indicator of deteriorating brain health.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo found that histamine improved people's long-term memory test scores, especially for those with poor memories. The study showed mice could recognize toys they'd seen as long as 28 days ago after receiving a medication that increases histamine in the brain.
New research published in JNeurosci finds that stroke generates dysfunctional brain cells that fail to develop properly, leading to memory impairments. Intervening in the production of these cells may help mitigate stroke-induced memory loss.
Researchers identified racial disparities in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and progression among African-American participants, who had lower levels of brain protein tau. This may lead to under-recognition of the disease in African-Americans, as they often have lower tau levels than Caucasians, according to a new study.
Researchers found that Candida albicans can cross the blood-brain barrier, triggering an inflammatory response and forming granuloma-type structures, leading to temporary memory impairments in mice. The findings also suggest a possible link between fungal infections and chronic neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discover that conscious knowledge is key to declarative memory, a type of memory linked to facts and events. The study, using amnesic patients with MTL lesions, found impaired performance in recognizing changes in images, highlighting the role of the hippocampus in memory acquisition.
A new study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found no major impact on brain health after major heart surgery. Researchers compared cognitive decline between patients undergoing heart surgery and those who received a catheter-based procedure, and found that the two groups showed little difference in memory performance.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that people access memories 'forward' by recalling older information first and skipping episodic blocks. The researchers also discovered that memory replay does not occur at a constant speed but changes flexibly during recall.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that type 2 diabetes is associated with a decline in verbal memory and fluency over 5 years in older adults. In contrast to previous research, the study did not find a direct link between brain atrophy and cognitive decline in people with T2D.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center have developed a new approach to treating anxiety disorders by anchoring positive experiences in the brain's memory. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that administering a commercially available drug that increases dopamine levels can reinforce fear extinction memories a...
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that drawing enhances memory retention in older adults more than traditional study methods. Drawing's unique combination of visual, spatial, verbal, semantic, and motoric representations led to better recall in both young people and senior citizens.
Researchers found that hysterectomy in rats with intact ovaries led to a memory deficit, suggesting the uterus may have functions beyond reproduction. The study tested rats with different types of menopause surgical interventions and found that only those with just the uterus removed had a negative effect on working memory.
A recent rat study published in the Endocrine Society's journal found that hysterectomy can cause short-term memory loss in rats. Removing the ovaries alongside the uterus did not result in a similar impairment, suggesting a unique negative effect of hysterectomy on brain function.
A 20-year study found that men who consumed more fruits and vegetables had better thinking and memory skills. Those who drank daily orange juice were also less likely to develop poor cognitive function, with a 47% lower risk compared to those who drank less than once a month.
A new study by NYU neuroscientists found that humans can accurately integrate information over extended periods, contradicting predictions of existing models. The results suggest that the passage of time does not significantly impact decision-making accuracy.
A new study from the University of Sydney suggests that low-protein, high-carbohydrate diets may be beneficial for brain health and longevity. The research found improvements in learning, memory, and overall health in mice fed an unrestricted low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet.
Dr. Marise Parent is studying how the hippocampus inhibits eating behavior at a biochemical level to identify new strategies for treating diet-induced obesity and other eating-related disorders. Memory plays a crucial role in controlling eating behavior, but the exact brain areas involved are not well understood.
Researchers at CWRU are using big data methods to understand the mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. They're developing large-scale knowledge bases that will identify ways to develop new or reuse existing drugs, with a focus on identifying possible new genes and pathways.
Research finds that prenatal exposure to THC can impair learning and memory in adolescents, while also improving symptoms in Alzheimer's disease patients. Long-term cannabinoid use alters brain metabolism and connectivity in adults, raising concerns for vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Rutgers University developed a device that improved balance in 100% of veterans with Gulf War Illness by stimulating the vestibular system. The findings suggest correcting the vestibular system may treat other conditions associated with the illness.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are part of a national effort to understand the neural circuits behind learning, memory, and behavior. Four scientists have received grants to study topics ranging from mental health to opioid addiction.
College students who drink alcohol don't intend to experience blackouts, but often lack understanding of risk factors and prevention strategies. Research suggests that drinking in moderation and pacing drinks can prevent blackouts.
Researchers are conducting a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of treadmill walking exercise training on learning and memory performance, hippocampal volume, and resting-state functional connectivity in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The study aims to determine if aerobic exercise can improve cognitive defici...
A study published in Neurology found that middle-aged individuals with high cortisol levels experienced impaired memory and reduced brain volume compared to those with average cortisol levels. The study also found no links between low cortisol levels and memory or brain size.
Research associates higher cortisol levels with impaired memory and reduced brain volume in middle-aged adults. Cognitive data from the Framingham Heart Study found that morning cortisol levels predicted worse brain structure and cognition.
Researchers found that osteocalcin, a bone hormone, reverses memory loss in the aging brain by interacting with key proteins like RbAp48. Exercise may also positively affect the brain through osteocalcin release, suggesting a potential way to stave off age-related memory loss.