Banishing Boredom Aids Memory

[dgridley]

Banishing boredom could aid the recovery of memory in patients with Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases, new research suggests.

Scientists made the discovery after keeping mice with an artificially-induced Alzheimer's-like illness in an "enriched environment".

The animals were given an exercise treadmill, an array of colourful toys with various shapes and textures that were changed daily, and the companionship of other mice.

Subjected to memory tests, the stimulated rodents fared far better than other mice held in standard bare cages. The mice living in stimulating conditions also showed a surprising ability to recover long-term memories, weeks after training.

Study leader Dr Li-Huei Tsai, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, US, said: "This recovery of long-term memory was really the most remarkable finding. It suggests that memories are not really erased in such disorders as Alzheimer's, but that they are rendered inaccessible and can be recovered."

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/boredom+link+to+alzheimers+disease/481047

Great news.. getting ready to stimulate myself now Uhm, what was I talking about??

 

[bizwiz]

I must keep myself entertained most of the time so I wont loose my memory as I grow older.

 

[lpstong]

I run my hamster wheel in the morning. Maybe I should lace the bars with playing cards or threads of yarn. I tried the flashing lights and a strobe light, I just kept falling of my wheel for some reason. Someone suggested I try and lay of the energy drinks while working on the computer might help.

But on a more serious note.
Nice to hear that they are doing such research. I do have 2 friends with Alzheimer's. One who is 82 and in the last stages of the disease. Sad to see him in such a state though. Although like eveyone who experiences people with Alzheimer's. He does have his moments and remember things about me. And still cracks jokes.