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'To be or, or ... um ... line!'

A study by cognitive psychologists Helga Noice and Tony Noice found that actors acquire lines quickly by focusing on the character's intention, rather than just memorizing the words. This 'active experiencing' principle is effective not only for actors but also for improving memory and cognition in older adults.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateJan 25, 2006

New study at UNC shows concussions promote dementias in retired professional football players

A new study at UNC reveals that retired professional football players have a 37% higher risk of Alzheimer's disease due to concussions. The study found that history of recurrent concussions and sub-concussive contacts may be risk factors for late-life memory impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and early expression of Alzheimer's dis...

A friendly reminder for HIV patients

A study found that HIV-infected patients with mild memory loss who used the Disease Management Assistance System (DMAS) Jerry took their medication 80% of the time, compared to 65% without it. This improvement was seen in both normal and memory-impaired patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateSep 13, 2005

Hearing loss in older adults may compromise cognitive resources for memory

A recent study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science found that hearing loss in older adults can compromise cognitive resources for memory. The research suggests that the extra effort needed to comprehend words detracts from the cognitive processes involved in memorization. This highlights the importance of sensitivi...

SourceBrandeis University·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateAug 29, 2005

Strong magnetic fields aid severe depression

Researchers found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is as effective as electro-shock therapy in alleviating severe depression. However, TMS has fewer side effects, particularly memory impairment. Patients treated with TMS showed significant improvement in mood without affecting the hippocampus.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 12, 2005

How safety feels good

Studies found that mice conditioned to associate beeps with safety showed reduced 'freeze' responses and increased exploration, suggesting a neural overlap between safety and danger processing. The researchers suggest that targeting these mechanisms could lead to new treatments for psychiatric disorders involving anxiety and addiction.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateApr 20, 2005

Older people with the 'Alzheimer's gene' find it harder to 'remember to remember' even if healthy

A study found that healthy older adults with the e-4 allele of the ApoE gene exhibit significantly worse prospective memories, struggling to remember tasks even when instructed to do so. The findings suggest a strong impact of genetic variation on cognitive function and recommend reevaluating the role of ApoE in cognition.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalNeuropsychology·DateJan 23, 2005

Where the brain harbors unconscious fears

Researchers found that people with higher anxiety tend to react more quickly to fearful faces, indicating heightened emotional vigilance. The study also pinpoints the basolateral region of the amygdala as crucial for unconscious processing of threats.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateDec 15, 2004

Can't place a name to the face you just saw?

A team of researchers from the University of Arizona used fMRI to investigate how brains recognize faces and retrieve associated names. They found that specific areas, including the medial prefrontal cortex, showed activation during 'feeling-of-knowing' states, suggesting additional processes aid in recalling accurate memories.

Estrogen or stimulating environment boost memory

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.

SourceYale University·JournalNeuroscience·DateOct 22, 2004

Epilepsy study shows memory loss after brain surgery

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.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalEpilepsia·DateOct 12, 2004

Brain-scanning life's memories yields new insights

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...

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateSep 29, 2004

Mutant mice lead to memory insights

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 23, 2004

How brain gives special resonance to emotional memories

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuron·DateJun 9, 2004