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Air pollution may be harming your brain’s ‘encyclopedia’

A new study by researchers at UC Davis Health and Kaiser Permanente found that long-term exposure to fine air pollution particles (PM2.5) is associated with lower semantic memory, a type of brain's encyclopedia. The study analyzed data from 740 adults aged 53-94 and found no impact on executive function or verbal episodic memory.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging·TypeSurvey·DateJun 3, 2026

Traumatic memories are represented differently than regular sad memories in the brains of people with PTSD, new research shows

A new study found that traumatic memories in people with PTSD are represented in the brain in a distinct way, deviating from regular memory processing. The hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex regions showed different neural responses to traumatic and sad autobiographical memories.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2023

University of Cincinnati study: Strawberry consumption may reduce dementia risk for middle-aged individuals

A recent study published in Nutrients found that daily strawberry consumption can improve cognitive performance and reduce depressive symptoms in middle-aged adults. The research, led by Professor Robert Krikorian, suggests that strawberries contain antioxidants and micronutrients that may help mitigate the risk of dementia.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 1, 2023

From amateur to expert

Researchers used mice to demonstrate that acquired knowledge is stored in early visual areas of the brain, highlighting the widespread storage of semantic memories. The study showed that part of category knowledge is already present in the visual cortex.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 21, 2021

Dementia and eating disorders: it is a problem of (semantic) memory

A recent study reveals that semantic memory deficits are involved in specific eating disorders in patients with dementia. The research found a correlation between the severity of these eating disorders and reduced performance on semantic memory tests, suggesting that these behaviors depend on the integrity of semantic memory. This brea...

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalJournal of Neuropsychology·DateOct 17, 2019

Food is hard to forget

A recent study published in Brain and Cognition found that lexical and semantic knowledge related to food is relatively well preserved even in diseases like Alzheimer's and Aphasia Primary Progressive. Food information was processed better than non-food, with caloric foods being more resiliently remembered.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalBrain and Cognition·DateNov 7, 2016

What is your memory style?

A study by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care reveals that brain connectivity patterns differ between individuals who remember episodic details versus facts, suggesting a lifelong 'memory trait'. This finding may have implications for understanding aging and brain health.

Passengers who survived terrifying Air Transat flight in 2001 help psychologists uncover new clues about post-traumatic stress vulnerability

Researchers at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care studied the memories of 15 Air Transat passengers who experienced a life-threatening emergency in 2001. They found that those with PTSD recalled more external details, not just specific events, suggesting altered memory processing may be a vulnerability factor.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateAug 13, 2014

When the zebra loses its stripes

A study published in Cortex found that the first elements of semantic memory to deteriorate are distinguishing characteristics of a concept, such as a zebra's stripes. This blurs related concepts, leading to temporary improvements in recognizing related words in early Alzheimer's disease.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateDec 20, 2010

Memory links to 40 winks

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that sleep strengthens weak associations in the brain, improving prospective memory and recall of future intentions. The study showed that a good night's sleep helps individuals carry out their plans more effectively by enhancing the link between context and intention.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 30, 2010

A time to rhyme

A new study found that younger children primarily process words based on phonology, sound, whereas older children and adults process words based on semantics, meaning. Researchers tested the language processing abilities of children aged five, eight, and 11 using a rhyme-based experiment.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 26, 2004