Researchers Restore Youthful Memory In Aging Mice

An anonymous reader writes "German neuroscientists made a breakthrough in 'age-related cognitive decline', a common condition that often begins in one's late 40s (especially declarative memory — the ability to recall facts and experiences). Their new study identifies a genetic 'switch' for the cluster of learning and memory genes that cause memory impairment in aging mice. By injecting an enzyme, the team 'flipped' the switch to its on position for older mice, giving them the memory and learning performance they'd enjoyed when they were young. Now the team ultimately hopes to recover seemingly lost long-term memory in human patients." The video, which explains the gene flipping mechanism, is worth a watch (2:18).

Comments

Simplistic solutions and inappropriate blame

[syousef]

If you're that young and already having memory problems (assuming you don't have a brain tumor or something), it's lifestyle related. Get out and exercise, eat well, there's probably some nutrient you're missing. Eat lot's of broccoli. Sleep enough. Don't under-estimate the brain wasting effects of alcohol or cocaine. I don't know you so I can't say exactly what your personal problem is.

Fuck me! Not all human beings are the same and what's true for you might not necessarily be true for the parent. Suggesting that he eat some broccoli, and insinuating that he's got drug and alcohol problems is borderline criminal. He may have a medical condition like early onset Alzheimers. Correct thing to do if he's not just being melodramatic is to see on or more doctors.

A lot of people, for example, don't eat enough vegetables. They'll eat a salad once a week or an apple every few days or something and hope that's good enough. It's not. You may not notice the effects right away, but over time they will add up as your body uses up its stored nutrients.

A lot of people who have treated their bodies like SHIT have been sharp as a tack into their 70s and 80s. This idea that if someone has to be doing something wrong in order to have a medical issue belongs in the dark ages. Of course treating your body well will make the most of your situation, but that doesn't mean it'll work miracles.

By the way try getting a full night's sleep, eating properly and excercising when you have a couple of kids under 2. a sick partner and a job that ties up 12 hours of your day 5 or 6 days a week. Or if you have a sleep disorder. Try excercising if you're overweight and have some kind of physical injury. The trouble with unhealthy is that a couple of issues can then lead to a spiral. This idea that someone can click their fingers and excercise some will power to get healthy is a luxurious dellusion only healthy people with too much spare time can afford. Not everyone is fresh out of college with no kids and a cushy job.