Articles tagged with Memory Disorders
A new study using brain PET scans identifies metabolic changes in older adults that may indicate an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope to develop a diagnostic tool to identify individuals at risk for the disease, allowing them to take preventive measures.
A study of 350 men and women found that mental aging begins in the 20s with continuous declines in processing power. By mid-60s, people may notice a decline in everyday activities. An increase in experience and knowledge can compensate for losses until age 50.
Indiana University Professor David Shiffrin has been awarded the $100,000 Rumelhart Prize for his work on human memory and cognition. His findings have had a significant impact on the field of psychology, with many cited works continuing to influence research.
A study found that lead exposure on the job can cause progressive declines in memory and learning abilities nearly two decades later. The effects of lead were seen even after exposure had stopped, suggesting a progressive impact on the brain.
Dr. Sherwin's research suggests that estrogen replacement therapy prevents some of the decline in verbal memory and ability to learn new material in postmenopausal women. This effect has been observed even in women who underwent surgical removal of their ovaries, which led to a sudden drop in estrogen levels.
Researchers used fMRI to probe the roots of a longstanding hypothesis in memory research. They found that recalling sensory-specific experiences activates brain regions responsible for processing those experiences. However, they also discovered that high-level perception areas are selectively reactivated during remembering, suggesting ...
Researchers found that attempting to control reactions to emotional events weakens memory, but reappraisal strategies have no such impact. The study suggests that expressive suppression, which involves continually monitoring and correcting oneself, consumes cognitive resources and reduces accuracy of event details.
A UC Davis study identifies brain systems affected in stroke patients with memory loss, distinguishing them from those affected by Alzheimer's disease. This distinction enables physicians to treat root causes of memory loss, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and prevent strokes.
Researchers have successfully synthesized a highly potent memory-enhancing compound by joining two fragments of the Huperzine A molecule with a molecular tether. This simplified fragment can be easily produced from cheap, commercially available chemicals and has been shown to improve memory in animal tests.
Researchers found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) performed better on a 'false-memory' test due to their impaired ability to use context. This improvement enabled them to recognize words that had been on a word list, while non-autistic subjects struggled with false memories. The study suggests that high-functioning...
Researchers found that long-term memories become labile every time they are retrieved, making them susceptible to alteration or disruption. The process of reconsolidation, which involves the generation of new proteins, is necessary to store long-term memories without retrieval.
A study by Dr. David Bennett found that many people with mild cognitive impairment exhibit Alzheimer's disease pathology, indicating a larger public health problem than previously thought. The research suggests increased funding for clinical care and research is needed to combat the disease effectively.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that the growth-associated protein GAP-43 enhances learning and memory in the mammalian brain when overexpressed in a phosphorylatable form. This finding could lead to new treatments for memory loss and learning disorders.
Researchers found that higher doses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were more effective in relieving depression, with 66.7% of patients experiencing relief compared to 38.9% on lower doses. However, the high-dose group also experienced temporary memory disturbances and longer recovery times.
A new study suggests that ginkgo extract may help protect the brain against stroke damage by reducing the extent of brain damage caused by free radicals. However, more work is needed to determine the proper dose and ensure its safety for humans at risk for stroke due to potential blood-thinning risks.
A new study by the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and UCSF team found that apoE3 can inhibit memory problems associated with Alzheimer's disease, while apoE4 cannot. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs simulating apoE3's protective quality.
Researchers found that a short-term drug regimen can reverse working memory loss in monkeys treated with antipsychotic medications. The study suggests improved treatment strategies for people with schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, or age-related memory loss.
Researchers have found that memory uses separate pathways for various types of information, including visual and sensory inputs. This is achieved through the hippocampal memory system, which receives signals from different areas of the brain.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are testing whether an extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can slow memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. The six-year clinical trial will enroll 2,000 participants and evaluate the effect of 240 milligrams of ginkgo daily on memory function.
Researchers found that older adults can compensate for cognitive decline by using unique brain areas, including the hippocampus, to support performance. This suggests that aging brains are more resilient than thought, with exciting implications for memory rehabilitation.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that high doses of cortisol, produced in response to stress, can significantly impair memory performance after several days. Memory impairment was seen only in those who received a high dose of cortisol and only after four days of treatment.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that false recall in older adults with Alzheimer's is related to attention breakdowns rather than memory decline. The study found that older adults are susceptible to creating false memories, which challenges the idea of a broad general decline in all memory-related functions.
The NIA-funded Memory Impairment Study aims to test two drugs to slow or stop the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive placebo, vitamin E, or donepezil, and the study will be conducted at 65-80 medical research institutions in the US and Canada.
Researchers at NYU School of Medicine have developed a method to measure anatomical changes in the entorhinal cortex, a key memory center in the brain. This technique uses MRI scans and reveals that patients with very mild Alzheimer's disease show significant shrinkage in this area compared to healthy volunteers.
Neuroscientist Michela Gallagher's research reveals that cognitive decline in old age is not caused by dying brain cells, but rather by the natural aging process. The study used rat models to show that neuron losses are confined to populations of cells with limited memory function.
Researchers propose that an inactive enzyme may contribute to memory impairment in Alzheimer's patients. A transgenic mouse study found impaired memory in animals lacking the enzyme MMP-9, supporting the idea that its inactivity plays a role in the disease.
Research at Washington University in St. Louis uses fMRI to capture images of specific memories as they are formed within the brain. The study found that increased activity in certain brain structures predicts whether information will be retained or forgotten.
A 51-year-old man with a rare brain disorder, known as 'sagging brain,' was treated at UCSF after initial diagnoses failed to provide relief. Exhaustive neurological scrutiny led to the discovery of a ruptured cyst causing the condition, which was successfully treated through surgery.
Researchers found that even mild forms of Alzheimer's can be distinguished from normal aging-related memory changes. The brains of patients with even mild Alzheimer's were found to have amyloid plaques, indicating early disease onset.
Researchers at University of Toronto uncover how protein Src strengthens synaptic connections, enhancing memory and learning. This discovery could lead to new treatments for chronic pain and epilepsy.
A long-term study found that post-menopausal women who used estrogen replacement therapy performed better on visual memory tests than those who didn't receive treatment. The researchers also found that stable memory performance was maintained by some participants who began ERT during regular visits to the NIA.
Research suggests that fact memory can be preserved despite hippocampal damage, offering new hope for children with memory problems. The study's findings have implications for healthcare professionals and teachers in assessing and educating children with special needs.
Researchers at Stanford University have identified two separate clusters of neurons in the hippocampus involved in encoding and retrieving memories. These findings provide insight into the neural basis of memory and could lead to better treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
Researchers found that a low-fat diet had no impact on memory loss in old mice, contrary to earlier studies suggesting a correlation between healthy eating and cognitive preservation. The study's findings add weight to theories suggesting that certain genes or stress hormones may contribute to age-related memory decline.