Articles tagged with Memory Disorders
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a specific group of cells in the brainstem critical for emotional memory processing during REM sleep. The activation of phasic pontine waves is linked to the development of long-term retention of fear extinction memory, making it a potential target for new treatments.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a novel storage mechanism that regulates memory formation by modulating actin fibers in neurons. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and may lead to the development of new therapeutic treatments.
Researchers identified a possible treatment window for brain plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that medications may be effective in slowing plaque buildup for several years. The study found that the rate of plaque accumulation accelerates initially before plateauing at high levels.
Indiana University neuroscientists have found evidence of source memory in rats, which has implications for future research into the biological underpinnings of memory and the treatment of diseases marked by memory failure. The study provides converging evidence that rats rely on source memory to recall how they acquired information.
Ron Davis, chair of the Neuroscience Department at Scripps Research Institute, has been selected for a prestigious Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award to study active forgetting in memory formation. The grant will focus on understanding the role of dopamine signaling in learning and memory, with potential implications for treating d...
A leading Canadian researcher found that brain damage from concussions can persist for decades in athletes, causing attention and memory problems. Dr. Maryse Lassonde's study shows that brain waves remain abnormal for two years after a concussion and atrophy occurs in the motor pathways of the brain.
A team of scientists at Brown University has made a breakthrough in understanding the neurological signaling breakdown in Angelman syndrome, a disorder affecting thousands of children. They demonstrated how a synthesized compound called CN2097 works to restore neural functions impaired by the disease.
A new study from McGill University reveals that the DCC receptor is essential for normal synaptic function and plasticity, leading to progressive degeneration of synapses and defects in memory formation. The absence of DCC leads to memory loss similar to Dr. Brenda Milner's famous subject HM.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a link between poor sleep, memory loss and brain deterioration in older adults. Boosting 'slow wave' sleep may help restore memory, suggesting a potentially new treatment avenue for age-related memory loss.
A new research report published in the FASEB Journal shows that TFP5, a small molecule, rescues plaques and tangles by blocking an overactive brain signal, restoring memory in mice with Alzheimer's. Clinical trial studies may yield extended quality of life for patients.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, finding that a diabetes drug can restore memory in brain cells. The team tested the drug on animal models with Alzheimer's and found significant improvements in memory function.
Researchers at Western University identified a common mechanism in the pre-limbic cortex to control recall of memories linked to aversive experiences in PTSD and rewarding memories in drug addiction. Stimulating a specific dopamine receptor subtype can prevent spontaneous recall of both types of memories without altering their integrity.
Researchers will use Drosophila melanogaster to define how the brain organizes different types of memories among its neurons and understand Pavlovian conditioning.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully implanted a pacemaker-like device in the brain of an Alzheimer's disease patient, marking the first such operation in the US. The device aims to boost memory and reverse cognitive decline by providing deep brain stimulation.
Researchers found that lithium boosts neurogenesis in the hippocampus of Down syndrome mice, leading to improved cognitive function. The results suggest that lithium-based therapies may be effective in treating Down syndrome patients.
A short burst of moderate exercise enhances memory consolidation in healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment. Exercise immediately after viewing pleasant images improved recall in both groups compared to those who did not exercise.
Researchers discovered two distinct mechanisms for voluntary forgetting of unwanted memories: suppressing memories and substituting them with more desirable ones. This study may lead to improved treatments for disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder.
Research highlights sleep's role in shaping memory, learning, and behavior, with implications for dementia, obesity, and mental health. Sleep deprivation poses significant risks to these areas, emphasizing the importance of a good night's rest.
A study found that high beta amyloid plaque levels associated with Alzheimer's disease can lead to steeper memory decline in healthy older individuals. The research used PET brain scans and cognitive assessments to track participants over a year and a half, revealing a significant correlation between plaque accumulation and memory loss.
Researchers found that reducing perceptual interference can improve object perception in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that minimizing visual clutter could help MCI patients with everyday tasks, such as recognizing familiar faces and objects.
A new study from Georgia Tech and the University of Toronto found that reducing visual clutter can improve object perception in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The researchers tested MCI patients on identifying identical pairings, finding that interspersing similar objects with dissimilar ones reduced interference.
Research indicates diets high in saturated fat and refined sugar may impair brain function in obese individuals, leading to increased overconsumption of high-calorie foods. Obesity-related changes may also lead to permanent cognitive decline, making it a lifelong battle to maintain weight loss.
Researchers discovered that EGFR inhibitors and synthetic compounds can reverse memory loss in fruit fly and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests blocking EGFR signaling prevents memory loss by preventing beta-amyloid proteins from activating the receptor.
Cognitive training significantly reduces postoperative complications in coronary bypass surgery patients, improving attention and memory. Benefits are maintained over time, suggesting brain plasticity in older adults.
A Penn team led by Joshua Hawk identified nuclear receptors as key molecules in converting short-term memories into long-term ones. The study found that blocking the activity of these receptors impaired contextual memory, while leaving amygdala-associated memories intact.
Researchers have discovered a way to store diverse forms of artificial short-term memories in isolated brain tissue. They demonstrated that neural circuits in the hippocampus can maintain memories for more than 10 seconds and recognize specific contexts, such as sequences of stimuli. This breakthrough has significant implications for u...
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified a potential medical treatment for the cognitive effects of stress-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The experimental drug S107 prevented learning and memory deficits associated with stress-related disorders in a PTSD mouse model.
Researchers use new approaches to analyze individual brain cells, shedding light on the root causes of chronic pain and memory loss. They found that the chemical imprint of pain occurs in only a few cells, holding promise for developing new treatments.
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute discovered that BACE1 disrupts cellular processes required for PKA function, leading to impaired learning and memory. This finding suggests that targeting BACE1 expression in the brain could be a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory loss.
A study at the University of Pittsburgh has identified a brain area responsible for using past decisions and outcomes to guide future behavior, suggesting that living in the moment is impossible due to the need for continuity of thought. The frontal eye field and supplementary eye field were found to play key roles in metacognition.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes found that levetiracetam, an FDA-approved anti-epileptic drug, reverses memory loss and alleviates other Alzheimer's-related impairments in mice genetically modified to simulate key aspects of the disease. The study shows how levetiracetam suppresses abnormal brain activity and restores memory function.
A UCLA study finds that a computerized brain fitness program significantly improves memory and language skills in older adults. The six-month program, used by participants aged 84, demonstrated improved cognitive function compared to those who played less frequently.
A new study published in Addiction journal reveals that even occasional ecstasy use can lead to memory impairments, particularly with damage to the hippocampus. The research found that participants who took ten or more pills over their first year showed decreased function of immediate and short-term memory.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed the most detailed chronology to date of the human brain's slow slide into full-blown Alzheimer's disease. The timeline reveals changes in brain structure and function decades before symptoms of memory loss and cognitive decline appear.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that seniors who perceive themselves as older are five times more likely to meet dementia criteria on standard screening tests. The research highlights the significant impact of age attitude on mental functioning and clinical tools used in dementia diagnosis.
A new study found that people with mild cognitive impairment were nine times more likely to be slow walkers than moderate or fast walkers. The study used a new technique to detect changes in walking speed and found that fluctuations in walking speed were also associated with MCI.
A meta-analysis of 23 peer-reviewed studies found that working memory training programs have no impact on general cognitive performance or verbal skills. The study suggests that training may help with short-term memory related tasks but has limited effect on individuals with ADHD or other issues.
Researchers have found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in brain tissue from blast-exposed military service personnel. The study discovered that exposure to a single blast equivalent to an IED results in CTE and long-term brain impairments, with the blast wind leading to traumatic brain injury.
A new study has found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in brain tissue from blast-exposed military service personnel. Exposure to a single blast equivalent to an IED results in CTE and long-term brain impairments, similar to those seen in athletes with repetitive concussion injuries.
A study published in Neuron suggests that reducing excess brain activity may improve memory and interrupt disease progression in patients with cognitive impairment, a potential new therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease. The findings are consistent with research in animal models and suggest that elevated hippocampal activation co...
Researchers found that reducing hippocampal activity improved performance on a memory task in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Elevated activity in this brain region is often seen in disorders associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that people who reported greater purpose in life exhibited better cognition than those with less purpose, even as plaques and tangles accumulated. This suggests that engaging in meaningful activities promotes cognitive health in old age.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of how precise memories are formed through the study of inhibitory neurons. The discovery sheds light on the neurobiological basis of memory problems in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, and could potentially lead to new treatments.
A Mayo Clinic study of 926 people aged 70-93 found that combining mentally stimulating activities like computer use with moderate exercise decreases the risk of memory loss. The study suggests a synergistic interaction between computer activities and exercise in protecting brain function, particularly for those over 70.
A new study found that increased consumption of blueberries and strawberries is associated with slower rates of memory decline in older women. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, suggests that berries may be a simple dietary modification to reduce memory decline in older adults.
A new study found that repeated blows to the brain can cause measurable changes in memory and thinking after a certain threshold, despite earlier brain volume changes. Athletes with more years of fighting and fights per year performed worse on memory and thinking tests.
A new study examines the relationship between personality traits, emotional strategies, and gender in memory recall. Researchers found that men who were high in extroversion remembered more positive life events, while women who were high in neuroticism ruminated on negative memories.
Two studies published in Neurology find that memory decline accelerates in the two- and-a-half years before death, while mentally stimulating activities like reading and board games may help preserve cognitive function during late life.
Researchers found that memory decline speeds up in the last two-and-a-half years of life compared to previous stages, with mentally active individuals showing better cognitive health. Activities such as reading and playing board games were linked to preserved memory during late life.
A cholesterol drug commonly prescribed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk restores blood vessel function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The drug also improves learning and memory in adult mice, but not aged mice.
Researchers found that stimulating specific neurons can reverse age-related memory defects in fruit flies, which may have implications for human memory disorders. The study used functional cellular imaging to monitor neuron activity and showed that cold-activated ion channels can rescue intermediate-term memory.
Research using tDCS shows promise in speeding up word finding in stroke patients and enhancing memory in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease patients. Numerical skills can also be improved using tDCS applied to the posterior parietal cortex, with observed improvements lasting up to 6 months.
A new study found that sleep protects positive memories just as it does negative ones, with significant implications for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Sleep enhances emotionally positive memories while these memories decay over wake, prioritizing them for processing during sleep.
A recent study by Sonia Lupien's team at the Centre for Studies on Human Stress found that testing older adults in unfamiliar and stressful environments can significantly reduce their memory performance. The researchers tested older adults under conditions similar to those in which cognitive examinations take place, and found that stre...
A $640,000 grant will fund research collaborations between ASU and Columbia University to expand knowledge about sensory feedback and motor actions involved in hand control. The study aims to understand how the brain stores memory representations of past actions and plans future actions.
Scientists at the University of Alberta investigated the molecular mechanism of memory encoding in neurons. They found components that fit together, enabling information processing and storage capacity necessary for forming and retaining memories.
A new study examines neural activation among individuals with and without a history of alcohol-induced fragmentary blackouts, suggesting individual differences in how alcohol impacts memory. The study found that some people are more likely to experience alcohol-induced blackouts due to unique patterns of blood flow and neural activity.
A study published in the journal Menopause found that menopause is associated with certain types of memory deficits, particularly those related to working memory and sustaining attention. The study's findings validate women's experiences of 'brain fog' during this phase of life.
A study by Dr. Lorraine Hope found that less than 60 seconds of physical exertion can severely impair a police officer's ability to remember details of an incident, including recognizing the person involved. This can lead to inaccuracies in witness accounts and potentially affect an officer's credibility.
A new study with monkeys suggests that higher doses of the ADHD medication methylphenidate can impair learning and memory, while lower doses improve performance. The results have implications for finding the optimal dosage for children with ADHD.