Memory Key News for September 2007

A large long-term study of very young children has found that those who slept less than 10 hours per night throughout early childhood were significantly more likely to score more poorly on language tests at six years. The findings suggest that there is a critical period in early childhood where lack of sleep is particularly detrimental.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#sleep

Right breakfast bread keeps blood sugar in check all day

A doctoral study has found that those given low glycemic index breakfasts could concentrate better and had a better working memory. Moreover, healthy individuals with low glucose tolerance generally performed less well.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#breakfast

Eye movement can affect problem-solving

Following on from a 2003 study that found that certain patterns of eye movement occurred as participants got closer to solving a problem, researchers have influenced the chances of success at solving a problem by occasionally guiding the eye movements of participants with an unrelated tracking task.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#Eye

Possible genetic risk for fetal alcohol disorders

In partial explanation of why children who are exposed to alcohol because their mothers drank during pregnancy are differently affected, new research has found evidence of a gene variant that appears to make the carrier more susceptible to the effects of fetal alcohol exposure.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#fetal

Fundamental defect in fragile X syndrome identified and corrected

In an exciting new cell study, scientists have not only discovered the fundamental defect that causes fragile X syndrome (the most common inherited form of mental retardation), but also how to correct the problem.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#fragile

Memory tasks require more coordinated brain blood flow for people with high blood pressure

Previous studies have found an association between high blood pressure and cognitive decline in older adults, but the evidence hasn’t been entirely consistent. Now a new study helps explain why the situation is not entirely straightforward.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#blood

Combined hormone therapy doesn't boost memory

A study of recently menopausal women found no effect of combined hormone therapy on cognitive function. Previous research has indicated a positive benefit of estrogen alone.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#hormone

Obesity in old age not associated with memory problems

A six-year study involving 3,885 older adults (over 65) found that, despite obesity contributing to high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, it was not associated with memory problems.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#Obesity

Playing video games reduces sex differences in spatial skills

A new study has pinpointed one factor in why women tend to be poorer than men at spatial tasks — they tend not to be quite as good at rapidly switching attention among different objects. But ten hours of playing action video games virtually eliminated this gender difference.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#games

Brain network related to intelligence identified

A review of 37 imaging studies has found remarkable consistency in the brain regions implicated in intelligence, and support the view of intelligence as related to how well these areas communicate with each other.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#intelligence

Having right timing 'connections' in brain is key to overcoming dyslexia

New research has found that key areas for language and working memory involved in reading are connected differently in dyslexics than in children who are good readers and spellers, and normalized these patterns after a three-week instructional program.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#timing

Why music training helps language

Several studies have come out in recent years suggesting that giving children music training can improve their language skills. Two new studies supports these findings by showing how.

http://www.memory-key.com/news/2007/news_2007Sep.htm#music

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ALZHEIMER'S NEWS
<http://www.memory-key.com/Seniors/Alzheimers/Alzheimers_news.htm>

September 2007
<http://www.memory-key.com/Seniors/Alzheimers/Alzheimers_2007b.htm>

Mediterranean diet may help Alzheimer's patients live longer

A study of 192 people with Alzheimer's disease has found that those who most closely followed a Mediterranean diet were 76% less likely to die during the 4 ½ year study period compared to those who followed the diet the least.

http://www.memory-key.com/Seniors/Alzheimers/Alzheimers_2007b.htm#diet

Smokers are more likely to develop dementia

A very large seven-year study found that current smokers who did not have the Alzheimer’s gene apolipoprotein E4 were 50% more likely to develop dementia than people without the gene who had never smoked or past smokers.

http://www.memory-key.com/Seniors/Alzheimers/Alzheimers_2007b.htm#Smokers

Support for view of Alzheimer's as form of diabetes

Research in the last few years has raised the possibility that Alzheimer’s memory loss could be due to a third form of diabetes. A new study clarifies the connection between insulin and Alzheimer’s, and suggests a direction for treatment.

http://www.memory-key.com/Seniors/Alzheimers/Alzheimers_2007b.htm#diabetes

Misconceptions about Alzheimer's common

A recent survey of nearly 1200 people has found a high degree of misconceptions about Alzheimer’s in America. Half the respondents were unaware that anything could be done to maintain cognitive functioning and reduce Alzheimer's risk.

http://www.memory-key.com/Seniors/Alzheimers/Alzheimers_2007b.htm#Misconceptions

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