A genetic variant associated with better memory performance was found in a large analysis of genomic data and memory test results from over 14,000 older adults. The researchers discovered that the gene FASTKD2 has not been linked to cognition before, but the G nucleotide variant showed a correlation with improved episodic memory.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that taking vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements may not reduce the risk of memory and thinking problems. The study involved 2,919 people with high blood levels of homocysteine and found no significant difference between those who took supplements and those who did not.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego, have removed the brain area responsible for spatial navigation in rats, showing that other memory abilities remain intact. The study provides insights into Alzheimer's disease and stroke effects on the brain's navigational system.
A new study found that general anesthesia impairs memory in mice by increasing the activation of α5GABA(A) receptors, leading to reduced synaptic plasticity. Inhibition of these receptors reversed memory defects in animals given anesthesia, suggesting a potential treatment for post-anesthesia cognitive impairment.
Long-term shift work is associated with impaired brain function, including lower memory and processing speed. Recovery may take at least five years after stopping shift work.
Researchers at UT Dallas' Center for Vital Longevity found that brain networks become less segregated and specialized as we age, leading to poor long-term memory. This study may lead to new clinical diagnostic criteria for age-related memory disorders.
University of Toronto researchers found that anesthetics activate memory-loss receptors in the brain, leading to long-term effects on memory-related tasks. The study suggests that anesthetics may compound existing issues with sleep, new environments, and medications after surgery.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that dietary flavanols can improve cognitive function and reverse age-related memory decline in healthy adults. The study showed noticeable improvements in the function of a specific brain region and significant performance on a memory test.
A study by the University of Manchester and Liverpool John Moores University found that courts imposed excessive and arbitrary punishments during the 2011 English riots. The research suggests that both courts and law enforcement agencies were influenced by a desire to restore order, leading to a 'collective hysteria' approach.
A new study found that smoking status significantly influences neurocognitive recovery in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals. Active-smoking ALC showed poorer recovery than never-smoking ALC on measures of learning and processing speed, while former-smoking ALC recovered less than never-smoking ALC on processing speed meas...
A new animal study found that a walnut-enriched diet improved learning skills, memory, and reduced anxiety in mice. The researchers suggest that walnuts' high antioxidant content may protect the brain from degeneration typical of Alzheimer's disease.
A study reveals that distinct genetic mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders produce similar molecular effects, suggesting a one-size-fits-all therapeutic approach may be effective for conditions like seizures and ADHD. The research identifies shared molecular pathways involved in these diseases, providing new insights into their ca...
Research reveals that curiosity activates brain regions involved in learning and memory, leading to improved retention of information. Curiosity also recruits the reward system and interactions between the hippocampus and reward circuit enhance learning, suggesting new approaches for treating memory disorders.
A study published in Neurology found that people who notice their memory slipping may be on to something, with 56% of participants reporting changes in their memory. The study suggests a significant window of opportunity for intervention before diagnosable problems show up, approximately 12 years after initial complaints began.
Research suggests that people with memory issues without dementia are at higher risk of developing the disease. A 12-year study found nearly three times more likelihood of memory problems in those reporting changes, emphasizing the importance of taking such complaints seriously.
Researchers confirmed earlier findings of verbal overshadowing, where witnesses' descriptions impair their ability to select a suspect. The study found smaller effects in replications, suggesting sample sizes may have been too small to detect the effect reliably.
Kessler Foundation researchers have discovered a link between slowed processing speed and executive deficits in people with multiple sclerosis. The study found that slower processing speed accounted for the observed executive function deficits, suggesting a potential target for cognitive rehabilitation strategies.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that some behavioral defects in NF1 fish are not related to abnormal Ras, but can be corrected by drugs targeting another signaling pathway controlled by cAMP. Learning and memory defects can be treated with drugs modulating the Ras pathway.
A UCI study reveals that brain inflammation can severely impact the ability to retrieve complex memories, but not simpler ones. Researchers found that immune system signaling molecules called cytokines disrupt communication among neurons in the hippocampus, leading to impaired discrimination memory.
A recent study found that individuals with blood type AB are 82% more likely to develop cognitive impairment and dementia than those with other blood types. High levels of factor VIII, a protein related to clotting, were also linked to increased risk of memory problems.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a new way to preserve the flexibility and resilience of the brain, targeting areas affected by Alzheimer's disease. The breakthrough involves stabilizing microtubules, which provide a cellular skeleton for nerve cells, promoting neuroplasticity.
A study suggests that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in the development of Huntington's disease cognitive decline. Researchers found increased expression of p75NTR in the hippocampus, leading to reduced dendritic spine density and memory defects.
Researchers found that the hippocampus, a brain region essential for memory, has a bidirectional flow of activity, rather than just unidirectional. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding neural circuitry and dynamic mechanisms controlling memory.
Researchers at Northwestern University used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to improve memory in healthy adults, showing that specific brain regions can be stimulated to enhance learning abilities. The study's findings have potential applications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.
A new study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias found that mindfulness training can brighten outlooks on life for both individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. The training eased depression, improved sleep quality, and enhanced overall quality of life.
Researchers found an association between over-estimating medication self-administration ability and memory loss among stroke survivors. Assessing patients for their ability to estimate medication skills accurately may predict memory disorders.
Researchers found that rule monitoring, an executive function, facilitates more accurate prospective memory in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study identified predictors of prospective memory deficit post-TBI and highlights the importance of including rule monitoring in clinical assessments.
A patient with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) showed selective verbal memory impairment due to left fornical crus injury, as reported by Dr. Sung Ho Jang and colleagues. The patient's visual memory improved over time, while verbal memory remained impaired.
Research found that cognitive decline before a stroke increases the risk of stroke five-fold in African-Americans, while slower brain function is linked to higher chances of stroke and death. Examining mental health may help prevent future strokes in older adults.
A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicates that middle-aged adults with a history of problem drinking are more than twice as likely to suffer from severe memory impairment in later life. The research highlights the link between harmful patterns of alcohol consumption and problems with memory, which may ...
Research conducted on adolescent rats reveals that daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages can impair learning and memory functions. The study found significant inflammation in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory, suggesting potential long-term effects on cognitive function.
Researchers focus on areas of memory and learning to treat obesity, suggesting a link between the two diseases. The 'vicious cycle' model proposes that overeating leads to brain pathologies, which can weaken control over thoughts and behaviors.
Research identifies four proteins that increase with age, making brain connections more rigid and reducing ability to adapt. The findings may lead to new treatments for learning disorders and memory loss in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that an enzyme called acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) disrupts autophagy in patients with Alzheimer's disease, leading to toxic protein accumulation. Reducing ASM activity restored autophagy and improved memory in mice with AD-like disease.
Chrysophanol alleviated hippocampal neuronal cytoplasmic edema and improved learning and memory abilities in lead-exposed neonatal mice. The compound also reduced oxidative stress markers and increased antioxidant defenses.
Scientists transplanted inhibitory neuron progenitors into two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, improving learning and memory abilities. The treatment replenished brain cells lost due to apoE4, regulating brain activity.
A new study from Rice University found that older adults are nearly twice as likely as their younger counterparts to have memories affected by environmental distractions, leading to decreased memory accuracy and speed. This research provides valuable insights into how the brain is affected by environmental interference, critical inform...
A team of experts at UCLA will collaborate to create, implant, and test a memory prosthesis to help restore lost memory functions in brain-injured individuals. The project aims to stimulate the entorhinal area, a key region involved in learning, memory, and Alzheimer's disease.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will develop a state-of-the-art implantable neural device to record and stimulate neurons, helping to restore memory in individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other conditions. The device aims to bridge gaps in the injured brain and enable individuals to form new memories.
Scientists at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have identified a new drug target for preventing PTSD. Osanetant, which targets the Tac2 gene, has been shown to reduce fear memory consolidation in mice.
Research at the University of Iowa found a link between high cortisol levels and gradual loss of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, leading to short-term memory lapses. Elevated cortisol can cause synapse shrinkage and disappearance, particularly in older adults, potentially slowed by treatments targeting cortisol reduction.
Recent memories are stored in a distributed manner throughout the hippocampus, with small fractions of cells responding to individual words. The study provides new insights into how the brain represents memory and may lead to better treatments for neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and epilepsy.
Researchers found chimpanzees cooperated 3,565 times over 94 sessions, increasing success rate and efficiency as they learned the need for a partner. The study demonstrates that chimpanzees are more cooperative than previously thought.
A study found that people with poor cardiovascular health are more likely to experience cognitive decline, including learning and memory problems. Researchers analyzed data from 17,761 individuals aged 45 and older, finding that those with the lowest cardiovascular health scores had impaired cognitive function.
A new UCLA study found that depression, lower education levels, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure increase the likelihood of self-perceived memory complaints across all adult age groups. Memory issues rose with more risk factors, affecting 20% of those polled.
Scientists have confirmed that strengthened connections between neurons, known as long-term potentiation (LTP), underlie memory formation. The study used optogenetics to strengthen and weaken these connections in genetically engineered rats, successfully forming, removing, and reactivating a memory.
The 2014 Kavli Prize winners made significant contributions to our understanding of cosmic inflation, nano-optics, and brain networks. Their discoveries have revolutionized fields like astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.
Researchers developed a new cognitive test that can accurately distinguish between memory impairments caused by very mild Alzheimer's disease and those due to normal aging. The test assesses relational memory abilities and reveals unique impairments specific to Alzheimer's, allowing for more precise diagnosis.
A neuroimaging study reveals reduced hippocampus brain volume in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic bipolar disorder compared to healthy volunteers. Hippocampal volumes are associated with psychosis severity and cognitive performance.
A study found that people exposed to paint, glue, and degreasers at work are at risk for memory and thinking deficits decades after exposure. The research suggests that high lifetime exposure can lead to cognitive problems regardless of when the exposure occurred.
A gene variant linked to longevity may also improve learning and memory, according to a new study. Researchers found that individuals carrying the KL-VS variant of the KLOTHO gene performed better on cognitive tests.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry finds that a genetic variant in the WWC1 gene may confer protection against age-related memory decline. Individuals carrying the T allele performed better on memory tasks and showed more active engagement in the hippocampus, a vital brain region for memory, with increasing age.
Researchers discovered that fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) enhances cognitive function and improves learning and memory functions in the brain's hippocampus region. FABP5 deficiency impairs learning and memory, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for cognitive dysfunction.
Mayo Clinic researchers define a new subtype of Alzheimer's disease that produces different symptoms and affects the brain in unique ways. This subtype, called hippocampal sparing AD, may be misdiagnosed as other conditions, but could be treated with current medications.
A recent Mayo Clinic study discovered that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) tend to die at a higher rate than those without the condition. People with MCI experience an 80% increased risk of death over nearly six years.
A new study suggests that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may experience an increased risk of mortality over a six-year period. The research, conducted by the American Academy of Neurology, found that those with MCI had an 80% higher death rate compared to those without MCI.
Researchers at TSRI identified a critical protein complex, RGS7, that regulates memory formation by modulating GABA signaling. Mice lacking RGS7 exhibited deficits in learning and memory, highlighting the complex's importance in cognitive function.
Researchers mapped the hippocampus in children aged 8-14 to understand its development and expansion with age. They found that three subregions grew with age, particularly the CA3/dentate gyrus, which was linked to better memory performance.
Researchers at Salk Institute develop a new model of memory that explains how neurons retain select memories hours after an event. The framework bridges findings from both molecular and systems observations, predicting which memories are recorded based on spatial positioning of proteins.
Research reveals that introducing new information during sleep weakens memory accuracy, making it harder to distinguish between familiar and novel odors. The study highlights the brain's repair mechanisms during sleep, which can impact memory strength and accuracy.