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The ability to recall foundational, personal life events is a function of autobiographical memory, but these memories are often known to fade and change over time. Childhood experiences become less distinct, emotional memories fade in strength, and many details are forgotten. In rare cases, however, some individuals can recall specific names, dates, and events with unusual accuracy and emotional detail. This rare ability, known as hyperthymesia or autobiographical hypermnesia, enables individuals to recall a large number of life events in exceptional detail. A new case study from the Paris Brain Institute highlights the complexity of this condition. A Different Kind...

St.Jude researchers revealed that midkine blocks amyloid beta from forming harmful clumps linked to Alzheimer’s. Without it, the damaging assemblies accelerate, but with it, growth halts. The finding could inspire new drugs that harness midkine’s protective power.

Scientists at UCSF have uncovered a surprising culprit behind brain aging: a protein called FTL1. In mice, too much FTL1 caused memory loss, weaker brain connections, and sluggish cells. But when researchers blocked it, the animals regained youthful brain function and sharp memory. The discovery suggests that one protein could be the master switch for aging in the brain — and targeting it may one day allow us to actually reverse cognitive decline, not just slow it down.

Infants form memories, but may not be able to recall them later.

Stages of dementia are marked by declines in memory and executive function. Previous research has examined whether micronutrient levels may relate to cognitive resilience. Copper is an essential trace element that participates in neuronal energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and antioxidant regulation. A cohort of 2,420 participants aged 60 years or older was selected from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). All participants had complete data on dietary intake and cognitive function. Dietary copper intake was derived from two averaged 24-hour dietary recalls. Cognitive function was measured using four instruments: the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), the Animal...

So I just got back from a neurologist for a little more of a precise diagnosis of what for a couple of decades has been called "ADHD." It was actually a very in-depth series of IQ tests. Turns out I'm "genius" level in comprehension, verbal abilities, short-term memory, and so on. But seriously below average in long-term memory. Like 145, 143, 141, 139, 147, 151... 86??? Fortunately, it doesn't fit any profiles of dementia or Alzheimer's, especially since I'd be incredibly young for that. Could be brain damage, given my history. Could just be a weird roll of the dice,...

A straightforward nightly activity may act as a memory-boosting tool, a new study has revealed. Writing down just five events from the day significantly improved memory performance in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy older adults the following day. This intervention, which involves recalling and documenting daily experiences, offers a cost-free and easily implementable approach to enhancing memory function. The RESTED-AD Study (Remote Evaluation of Sleep To Enhance Understanding in Early Dementia) investigated the effects of autobiographical recall on memory performance utilizing 26 participants in two groups—with and without early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia or mild cognitive impairment. They...

The herb rosemary has long been linked with memory. So it is fitting that researchers would study a compound found in rosemary and sage—carnosic acid—for its impact on Alzheimer's disease. Carnosic acid is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that works by activating enzymes that make up the body's natural defense system. Scientists have now synthesized a stable form, diAcCA. This compound is fully converted to carnosic acid in the gut before being absorbed into the bloodstream. The research showed that when diAcCA was used to treat mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, it achieved therapeutic doses of carnosic acid in the...

Researchers have developed a new type of photochromic glass that can store and rewrite data indefinitely.By embedding magnesium and terbium, they’ve created a material that changes colors under different wavelengths of light, allowing for high-density, long-term storage without power. This breakthrough could revolutionize data preservation.Exploring the Potential of Glass for Data StorageFor years, scientists have explored the potential of glass as a long-term data storage medium, drawn to its ability to preserve information for eons without requiring power. One promising candidate is photochromic glass, a special type of glass that changes color when exposed to different wavelengths of light. Now,...

Meeting the minimum requirement for vitamin B12, needed to make DNA, red blood cells and nerve tissue, may not actually be enough—particularly if you are older. It may even put you at risk for cognitive impairment. A new study found that older, healthy volunteers, with lower concentrations of B12, but still in the normal range, showed signs of neurological and cognitive deficiency. These levels were associated with more damage to the brain's white matter—the nerve fibers that enable communication between areas of the brain—and test scores associated with slower cognitive and visual processing speeds, compared to those with higher B12....

The short-term boost our brains get after we do exercise persists throughout the following day, suggests a study. The study found that, on average, people aged 50 to 83 who did more moderate to vigorous physical activity than usual on a given day did better in memory tests the day after. More deep (slow-wave) sleep also contributed to memory function, and the research team found this accounted for a small portion of the link between exercise and better next-day memory. The research team looked at data from 76 men and women who wore activity trackers for eight days and took...

If you’re looking to boost brain health, a common supplement that’s sold on Amazon and at stores like Walgreens, Walmart, and GNC could help fight symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Ginkgo biloba extract — known as the “brain herb” — stems from dried leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree, which is native to East Asia and one of the world’s oldest living tree species. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, the popular supplement may alleviate dementia symptoms by enhancing cognitive function and memory. “The extract from the ginkgo biloba tree may increase blood flow to the brain and improve brain functions...

The man who got kicked in the face in a shocking moment of pickleball violence just wants to be done with it and has no plans on pressing charges. Footage of the fiery on-court altercation at a tournament in Mexico has gone viral, surprising many given pickleball’s reputation as a friendly sport. In what appeared to be a match point, the eventual kicker, who was wearing pink shorts, received a serve before approaching the net, where he illegally stepped over the non-volley line. That mistake gave away a foot fault, and ultimately the match.

A groundbreaking study has found that cells outside the brain may have memory functions, challenging the long-held belief that memory is exclusive to brain cells. Researchers demonstrated that non-brain cells could learn from spaced repetition, activating a “memory gene” similar to brain cells. Research reveals that kidney and nerve tissue cells can learn and form memories in ways similar to neurons. ========================================================================== Our brains—and specifically, our brain cells—are commonly known to store memories. However, a team of scientists has discovered that cells from other parts of the body also play a role in memory, opening new pathways for understanding how...

There are several factors to take into accountWho doesn't have a beer, a glass of wine or a glass of spirits every so often? Well, experts warn of the danger of doing so too often, as it can lead to short- and long-term problems for the brain, as revealed by neurologist Dr. Richard Restak in his book 'Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind'. What can happen to our brains? Alcohol consumption is an ingrained part of social culture, where bars are the main meeting point and beer, wine or spirits come naturally. However, alcohol consumption...

History has a short memory. In recent weeks, as Vice President Kamala Harris’s policy proposals sparked a national conversation about price-controls, that phenomenon is on full display. Price-controls have failed humanity for thousands. They invariably create devastating shortages and diminish product quality. These policies decimated Babylonian trade in 1750 B.C. They caused bloodshed in second-century Rome. They nearly starved George Washington’s army at Valley Forge. Within living memory, they also caused an American oil and gas crisis in 1971. Of course, politicians still cannot resist promising their constituents consequence-free price reductions.

A new study shows that a ketogenic diet significantly delays the early stages of Alzheimer's-related memory loss in mice. This early memory loss is comparable to mild cognitive impairment in humans that precedes full-blown Alzheimer's disease. The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat, and moderate-protein diet, which shifts the body's metabolism from using glucose as the main fuel source to burning fat and producing ketones for energy. Researchers previously found that mice lived 13% longer on ketogenic diets. The new study, which follows up on that research, found that the molecule beta-hydroxybutyrate, or BHB, plays a pivotal role in preventing...

President Joe Biden’s “poor memory” was a key factor in not charging him, Special Counsel Robert Hur told Congress Tuesday. Hur, who described Biden in his report as “an elderly man with a poor memory,” told the House Judiciary Committee that he could not charge the president with “willfully” retaining classified documents due to the president’s lack of mental cognition and the impact that would have on a jury. “I understood that my explanation about this case had to include rigorous, detailed, and thorough analysis. In other words, I needed to show my work,” Hur said. “I knew that for...

Members of the established media in recent weeks defended President Joe Biden’s “poor” memory by claiming the president’s health is “acute” and that any speculation to the contrary is “ageist” and a “right wing media” conspiracy theory. The media’s defense is the latest effort to support Biden, who is trailing in national 2024 polling to former President Donald Trump. The media apparently felt compelled to defend Biden before and after special counsel Robert Hur described the president as an “elderly man with a poor memory” in his report on Biden’s classified document scandal: Hur described Biden as not competent to...

The White House sent an angry letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland a day before the Special Counsel report on President Joe Biden's mishandling of classified information was released. White House Counsel Ed Siskel complained in a letter on February 7 that Special Counsel Robert Hur's report included 'multiple denigrating statements' about Biden's memory. Details of the White House letters between Justice Department officials were first published by Politico. 'A global and pejorative judgment on the President's powers of recollection in general is uncalled for and unfounded,' the letter read. The latest development in the special counsel saga as Congress...