X-Message-Number: 14930
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 23:32:28 -0800
From: Bryan Hall <>
Subject: News of a breakthrough with memory loss

Scientists working in London say they have discovered why memories fade
with age in a breakthrough that could one day see the old regaining the
brainpower of their youth.

Wednesday's report in New Scientist magazine said that tests on elderly,
genetically modified mice found they did just as well in learning and
memory tests as young, normal mice.

The international team of scientists from University College London led
by Karl Peter Giese is trying to develop drugs that mimic the effects of
the genetic mutation, and that may restore old people's ability to
recall and learn, the report said.

Scientists say that nerve cells in the hippocampus, a brain structure
that plays a key role in learning and memory, take time to recover after
functioning before they can fire again.

This recovery period is thought to get longer with age, the report said.
The genetic modification successfully reduced the recovery period,
reversing the effects of memory loss.

Researchers said the evidence collected so far suggested the drugs could
only be used to treat the loss of mental abilities, not to prevent
brainpower going in the first place.

The article in New Scientist can be found at:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns226524

-Bryan Hall

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