Memory

Scientists investigating the potential of a non-invasive laser therapy to improve cognitive function have demonstrated an ability to boost short-term memory in human subjects by targeting specific regions of the brain.

Striking new research proposes taking a common anti-inflammatory drug soon after experiencing a traumatic event could help people forget upsetting memories and reduce their risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Scientists studying the brains of so-called “SuperAgers” have discovered a set of significantly enlarged neurons associated with memory that also appeared more resistant to characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at EPFL have discovered a material that seems to be able to “remember” all of its past encounters with stimuli, such as electrical currents. The compound could come in handy for better data storage and processing.

Some have argued outsourcing our memory to smartphones is damaging our ability to remember anything properly, but a new study suggests that is not the case – digital devices may actually be freeing up our brains to remember more things overall.

It’s unsurprising but unfortunate that as we get older, our capacity to learn new skills diminishes. A new study by researchers at EPFL has found that non-invasive electrical brain stimulation can help older adults learn new motor skills much faster.

Scientists studying memory and learning in frog-eating bats have made a surprising discovery, demonstrating that they can recognize ringtones tied to food rewards up to four years later, which is believed to help them hunt in the wild.

Researchers at EPFL have found that an existing drug used to treat cancer, among other things, also seems to improve memory. Intriguingly, tests in mice show that the drug works by switching on genes associated with brain plasticity.

Scientists at University of California, Los Angeles have uncovered a key mechanism behind the retention of memories, and shown how targeting it with an existing drug used to treat HIV could strengthen human memory during middle age.

There's a belief that when someone loses one ability, another improves correspondingly. New research bears this out – in one scenario, at least – as it indicates that blind people remember spoken information better than their sighted counterparts.

Researchers in Japan have developed a new method for making 2-in wafers of diamond that could be used for quantum memory. The ultra-high purity of the diamond allows it to store a staggering amount of data – the equivalent of a billion Blu-Ray discs.

Scientists continue to illuminate the many ways exercise can positively influence brain health by examining its effects on the many forms of cognitive function, and the latest places a spotlight on our ability to recall past experiences.