Articles tagged with Memory Disorders
A TGen-led study of 70,000 individuals found that both smoking and cardiovascular disease impair verbal learning and memory in adulthood, with sex differences observed. The study suggests that quitting smoking can improve brain function and maintaining cardiovascular health is crucial for preventing cognitive decline.
A new study reveals that people often forget their preferred options and choose less-preferred ones due to imperfect memories. Researchers used fMRI scans and decision-making experiments to understand how memory impacts decisions.
Researchers have identified a neurologic pathway that explains how non-damaging brain impacts cause long-term problems with learning and memory. A new treatment approach may reactivate and normalize cognitive function.
A new online application, Living Memory Home, offers a virtual and personal memorial space for mourners to deposit memories and feelings about their loss. The platform allows users to create a customized memorial space, share photos and messages, and reflect on both positive and negative memories and emotions.
Scientists have found that a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern with high intake of vegetables, legumes, and fish may reduce protein deposits in the brain and prevent brain atrophy. The study suggests that adhering to this diet could lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Researchers used gene therapy to introduce a therapeutic compound into the hippocampus of AD mice, preserving learning and memory. The approach restored normal neural function and reversed neurodegenerative processes by promoting neuronal and synaptic plasticity.
A team of scientists at IBEC and Stanford University reveals that the brain's ability to autonomously learn reflects nature more closely than previously thought. This discovery has implications for improving memory deficits in humans and building new AI systems with advanced memory capabilities.
A team of scientists at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute is investigating the effects of prior knowledge on learning and memory in bird experts. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electrical currents, they aim to determine whether a similar process takes place in the human brain.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics found that lithium can improve fear memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in mice with symptoms similar to Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. The researchers suggest that this may be an effective treatment for intellectual disability caused by the disorder.
A shared set of brain regions play an important role in controlling the successful retrieval of weak memories, according to a new University of York study. The research may have implications for treating memory disorders like dementia and developing more advanced artificial intelligence systems.
Texas A&M researchers have developed a method to indirectly retrieve and weaken fear memories, which could lead to more effective therapy for treating trauma. By reactivating traumatic memories through conditioning procedures, scientists can make them vulnerable to disruption.
Research shows a direct connection between particular bacteria in the gut and impaired brain function, with sugar consumption impairing memory associated with the hippocampus. The study also found that transplanting specific gut bacteria without sugar consumption can replicate memory impairments in adulthood.
Research found that daily sugar-sweetened beverage consumption during adolescence impairs learning and memory tasks in adulthood. The bacteria Parabacteroides in the gut microbiome plays a key role in this process, even when not associated with sugar consumption.
Research from Lund University in Sweden suggests that women accumulate Alzheimer's-related protein tau at a higher rate than men. The study found a 75% higher accumulation rate of tau in women compared to men in the temporal lobe affected by the disease.
Researchers found 300 genes associated with neural oscillations, including hub genes that control separate gene networks. Surprisingly, several of these hubs were active in glial cells, which support and protect nerve cells. This discovery provides an entry point for further research into the underpinnings of human memory.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a neural basis for how odors elicit powerful memories, with the olfactory areas connecting directly to the hippocampus. The study suggests that the sense of smell retains direct access to the hippocampus, unlike other senses like vision and hearing.
Research found that obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder among people with cognitive impairment, affecting concentration, decision-making, and learning. The study suggests that treating this disorder with CPAP therapy may improve thinking and memory skills as well as overall quality of life.
Researchers found reduced functional connectivity between brain regions in people with HIV and APOE4, leading to poorer memory function. Severe immunosuppression further exacerbated the impact of APOE4 on memory performance.
Researchers found that cognitive SuperAgers have fewer tau protein tangles in the brain region related to memory, which may contribute to their preserved memory capacity. The study suggests a potential new direction for Alzheimer's disease research and highlights the importance of understanding the cellular mechanisms behind SuperAging.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have established a new way to predict individual risk of cognitive decline using brain signatures during mental activity. This approach is more sensitive and accurate than current behavioral testing, with left-frontal brainwaves being key predictors for dementia risk.
A Northwestern University study uses brain stimulation to improve memory for everyday activities, replicating how memory works on a day-to-day basis. The findings have implications for developing effective ways to improve real-world memory.
Researchers found that deactivating the autism-linked FoxP1 gene in young songbirds prevents them from forming memories of their fathers' songs. This finding may shed light on speech development in humans and potentially lead to new treatments for children with autism.
A new study in mice restores normal protein synthesis to repair memory function, suggesting a potential means to address the loss of cognitive function due to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that administering synthetic pharmaceuticals, such as ISRIB, can revive lost cognitive functions and restore synaptic plasticity.
Researchers found abnormally high brain activation in individuals without diagnosed Alzheimer's but with memory concerns, suggesting a potential biomarker. Hyperactivation in certain regions increases before cognitive impairments and neuronal loss associated with the disease.
A study published in Neurology found that individuals with primary progressive aphasia, often associated with Alzheimer's disease, may not develop memory problems. Instead, their language skills decline significantly over time.
Scientists regenerate parts of the skull using stem cells, correcting skull shape and reversing learning and memory deficits in young mice with craniosynostosis. The study holds great potential for less invasive therapies for children with this common birth defect.
Researchers have found a specific Alzheimer's treatment effective in male mice but not female mice, highlighting the need for sex-specific design in clinical trials. The study suggests that drugs may work differently in males and females, leading to potentially ineffective treatments for women.
A UCSF clinical psychologist has taken aim at the NFL for using race norms to deny payouts to Black players diagnosed with dementia. She advocates for a more nuanced approach that accounts for social determinants of brain health, such as language and occupation, to provide fair compensation.
Researchers found that face masks obstruct facial cues, a crucial aspect of effective communication. The loss of visual information significantly impacts native and non-native speakers' ability to understand each other.
Researchers found that testing long-term memory recall predicted cognitive decline in healthy older people more accurately than classic memory tests. The study also showed that combining this test with an MRI brain scan improved accuracy in predicting Alzheimer's disease risk.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a unique population of cells that record both time and place in the brain, allowing for enhanced memory recall. These findings could provide the basis for new treatments to combat memory loss from conditions such as traumatic brain injury or Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study has identified a genetic variation that influences cognition and IQ in people with schizophrenia, suggesting the possibility of developing new therapies to target learning and memory problems. Higher levels of a specific brain chemical were found to be associated with better visual and working memory.
Scientists at the University of Basel have identified a key protein regulating long-term memory, found to decline with age. By studying roundworms, they discovered that a molecule called MPS-2 plays a central role in intact long-term memory and is also involved in age-related memory loss.
Researchers at Lund University developed an app that predicts Alzheimer's disease risk based on blood biomarker levels, providing a more reliable and accessible early diagnosis method than current cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) analyses.
A new study finds that anxiety is independently associated with cognitive decline and a faster progression to Alzheimer's disease, even in patients without genetic risk factors or brain volume loss. The researchers recommend screening for anxiety disorders in elderly individuals to potentially slow cognitive decline.
A study of women aged 80 found a significant association between air pollution exposure and increased depressive symptoms. Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide or fine particulate air pollution was linked to small but notable effects on depressive symptoms.
Researchers at Boston University used optogenetics to study the effects of alcohol on brain function and behavior. They found that artificially dampening fear responses in mice could mitigate addiction-related behaviors. This suggests that memory manipulation may be a promising approach to treating alcohol addiction.
Researchers at UCL have used laser beams to 'switch on' neurons in mice, showing how memories drive the brain's inner GPS system. The study uses an 'all-optical' approach to read and write activity in specific neurons, reactivating memories of a location where rewards were obtained.
A new study published in Neurology found an association between working for pay and slower memory decline, regardless of marital or parenthood status. Engaging in paid work may offer some protection against memory loss due to cognitive stimulation, social engagement or financial security.
A new study found that individuals with higher levels of positive affect had less steep memory decline over a nearly decade-long period. Positive emotions are associated with healthier aging, contradicting the notion that memories fade with age.
Researchers found that individuals with lower sustained attention ability and those who engage in heavy media multitasking perform worse on memory tasks. By monitoring pupil size and brain activity, scientists can predict whether an individual will remember or forget.
A brain protein that regulates time-keeping also plays a crucial role in normal memory formation, according to new research in fruit flies. Memory regulation by this protein, PDF, likely occurs without direct signaling to the main memory structure.
A new study from University of East Anglia and University of Florence reveals that faecal transplants can alter gut microbiome, impacting spatial learning and memory in mice. The procedure may hold promise as a therapy to combat cognitive decline among the elderly.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Brain Science discovered a brain region called the SuM that detects new social experiences and segregates them from unfamiliar places. This finding can help understand normal memory and conditions where recognizing new information is impaired.
A study of 82 young adults with varying ApoE gene variants found no differences in memory performance, but distinct brain activity patterns, suggesting potential early disease processes. The researchers used functional MRI to examine the impact on the hippocampus, an area crucial for memory.
Researchers found that older people without cognitive problems who experience a fall may have already begun neurodegeneration leading to Alzheimer's dementia. The study suggests that falls in this population are linked to brain changes that can be prevented with environmental modifications.
Researchers at Newcastle University propose a new theory that links hearing loss to dementia, suggesting that the auditory system's impact on brain function may trigger Alzheimer's disease. The study identifies key aspects of this connection, including memory centers and cognitive impairment.
A study shows that friends who swap bodies experience changes in their self-perception and memory, highlighting the connection between our mental and physical selves. Participants who fully embraced their friend's body performed better on memory tests than those who felt disconnected from their own body.
A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that a disordered protein exhibits slow relaxations, defying expectations, and 'remembers' its previous stretching. This behavior is similar to glassy materials like memory foam and crumpled paper.
A new study published in Current Biology reveals that our brain standardizes all faces we perceive using the same process, making it easier to compare faces stored in memory. Researchers studied a man with hemi-prosopometamophosia, a rare condition causing distortions on one half of a person's face, regardless of viewing angle.
A new diagnostic definition for Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) has been established, allowing researchers to better characterise the condition and its prognosis. The criteria also hold promise for strengthening research into dementia by identifying patients for trials.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a new regulatory role for CaMKII, a protein involved in calcium signaling, in the brain's memory center. They found that the hub domain of CaMKII plays a crucial role in tuning its sensitivity to calcium, opening up new avenues for investigation and potential therapeutic targets.
Dr. Tomás Ryan has received a highly prestigious award from the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine to pursue research into infantile amnesia and its effects on learning. The prize will support his work on understanding the neurobiology of memory loss in early childhood.
A new study published in Redox Biology shows that the drug CMS121 successfully reversed memory loss in a mouse model of inherited Alzheimer's disease. The drug works by normalizing lipid peroxidation and lowering levels of fatty acid synthetase, suggesting FASN as a potential target for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists discovered oxytocin can reverse Aβ-induced impairments in mouse hippocampus, suggesting potential therapeutic option for Alzheimer's. Oxytocin's effect is mediated through oxytocin receptors, and blocking them eliminates its ability to reverse damage.
A study of 449 older adults found that individuals with subjective felt memory problems also exhibited measurable cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that early diagnosis and therapy development could benefit from these results.
Researchers have discovered that synchronization of brain neurons is critical for establishing fear memories, which can become too strong in people with PTSD. The study found that synchronized neurons are more likely to be recalled from memory.
Scientists have identified a role for microglia in clearing the extracellular matrix, allowing new synapses to form and improving memory. Disrupting this process can lead to memory problems, including those seen in Alzheimer's and anxiety disorders.
Researchers found that brains use common words like 'pig' and 'tank' more often when recalling memories, suggesting a neural network connection. The study used memory tests, brain wave recordings, and surveys to support the idea that brains search for memories like search engines track information online.
A new study suggests that older adults spontaneously share fewer memories of their past experiences, with less detail in descriptions. Researchers analyzed daily conversations using a smartphone app and found this decline to be age-related, possibly linked to brain changes.