Even people who have not been diagnosed with a degenerative condition like Alzheimer’s disease may find that their memory begins to get a bit hazier as they age. And, while there are healthy habits, such as exercising regularly and taking brain support supplements, that may help prevent or delay this process, many people are likely to assume that, if this memory loss has occurred, that faculty can’t be regained.
However, a study conducted at the Scripps Research Institute in Florida last year showed some promise for people struggling with memory loss. According to a news release from Scripps, age-related memory loss is not just confined to humans. Other mammals and even insects have demonstrated signs of the cognitive decline. Because of this, the scientists were able to make deductions about the human brain based on the analysis of fruit flies.
The scientists reportedly were able to observe the activity of brain-based neurons in fruit flies before and after they were “taught” to associate a specific smellwith the shock of an electrical current. In doing so, they were able to determine the neurons involved in the loss of short-term and moderate-term memories. They also found that stimulating these parts of the brain helped recover some lost recollections.
“This study shows that once the appropriate neurons are identified in people, in principle at least, one could potentially develop drugs to hit those neurons and rescue those memories affected by the aging process,” department of neuroscience chair Ron Davis said in the release.
Further research is necessary before medical practitioners can apply such findings to memory loss treatments. In the meantime, though, living an active lifestyle and following a diet that promotes brain health may help fend off this form of decline.
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