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Trends in Cognitive Sciences Dec 2023Attention has been regarded as the 'gatekeeper' controlling what information gets selected into working memory. However, a new perspective has emerged with the discovery... (Review)
Review
Attention has been regarded as the 'gatekeeper' controlling what information gets selected into working memory. However, a new perspective has emerged with the discovery of attribute amnesia, a phenomenon revealing that people are frequently unable to report information they have just attended to moments ago. This report failure is thought to stem from a lack of consolidating the attended information into working memory, indicating a dissociation between attention and working memory. Building on these findings, a new concept called memory reselection is proposed to describe a secondary round of selection among the attended information. These discoveries challenge the conventional view of how attention and working memory are related and shed new light onto modeling attention and memory as dissociable processes.
Topics: Humans; Memory, Short-Term; Attention; Amnesia
PubMed: 37689583
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.08.010 -
Molecular Neurobiology Sep 2023Memory loss, often known as amnesia, is common in the elderly population and refers to forgetting facts and experiences. It is associated with increased mitochondrial...
Memory loss, often known as amnesia, is common in the elderly population and refers to forgetting facts and experiences. It is associated with increased mitochondrial fragmentation, though the contribution of mitochondrial dynamics in amnesia is poorly understood. Therefore, the present study is aimed at elucidating the role of Mdivi-1 in mitochondrial dynamics, hippocampal plasticity, and memory during scopolamine (SC)-induced amnesia. The findings imply that Mdivi-1 significantly increased the expression of Arc and BDNF proteins in the hippocampus of SC-induced amnesic mice, validating improved recognition and spatial memory. Moreover, an improved mitochondrial ultrastructure was attributed to a decline in the percentage of fragmented and spherical-shaped mitochondria after Mdivi-1 treatment in SC-induced mice. The significant downregulation of p-Drp1 (S616) protein and upregulation of Mfn2, LC3BI, and LC3BII proteins in Mdivi-1-treated SC-induced mice indicated a decline in fragmented mitochondrial number and healthy mitochondrial dynamics. Mdivi-1 treatment alleviated ROS production and Caspase-3 activity and elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, Vdac1 expression, ATP production, and myelination, resulting in reduced neurodegeneration in SC mice. Furthermore, the decline of pro-apoptotic protein cytochrome-c and increase of anti-apoptotic proteins Procaspase-9 and Bcl-2 in Mdivi-1-treated SC-induced mice suggested improved neuronal health. Mdivi-1 also increased the dendritic arborization and spine density, which was further corroborated by increased expression of synaptophysin and PSD95. In conclusion, the current study suggests that Mdivi-1 treatment improves mitochondrial ultrastructure and function through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. These changes further improve neuronal cell density, myelination, dendritic arborization, and spine density, decrease neurodegeneration, and improve recognition and spatial memory. Schematic presentation depicts that Mdivi-1 rescues memory decline in scopolamine-induced amnesic male mice by ameliorating mitochondrial dynamics and hippocampal plasticity.
Topics: Aged; Mice; Male; Humans; Animals; Scopolamine; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Amnesia; Hippocampus; Quinazolinones
PubMed: 37314656
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03397-6 -
External and internal influences yield similar memory effects: the role of deception and suggestion.Frontiers in Psychology 2023In legal cases, testimonies can become contaminated because of an amalgam of external and internal influences on memory. It is well-established that external influences... (Review)
Review
In legal cases, testimonies can become contaminated because of an amalgam of external and internal influences on memory. It is well-established that external influences (e.g., suggestive interviews) can hurt memory. However, less focus has been placed on the impact of internal influences (e.g., lying) on memory. In the current review, we show that the available evidence suggests that both external and internal influences exert similar effects on memory. That is, we review studies showing that suggesting non-occurrences and suggesting non-experiences can lead to omission errors and false memories, respectively. Likewise, these memory effects are also observed when focusing on internal influences. That is, false denials, feigning amnesia and fabrication have been shown to affect memory in terms of forgetting (i.e., omissions) and false memories (i.e., commissions). Also, we show that both external and internal influences can lead to changes in the belief that an event occurred. We argue that in legal cases, triers of fact should concentrate on whether both types of influences might have affected testimonial accuracy in witnesses, victims, and suspects.
PubMed: 37701866
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1081528 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Mar 2024The mystery of "infantile amnesia" suggests memory works differently in the developing brain.
The mystery of "infantile amnesia" suggests memory works differently in the developing brain.
Topics: Humans; Amnesia; Brain; Infant; Child Development; Memory, Long-Term; Animals; Mice; Child, Preschool; Rats
PubMed: 38484046
DOI: 10.1126/science.adp1755 -
Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology... 2023Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist used for its sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects. Non-Operating Room Anesthesia (NORA) is a modality... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist used for its sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects. Non-Operating Room Anesthesia (NORA) is a modality of anesthesia that can be done under general anesthesia or procedural sedation or/and analgesia. In this particular setting, a level-2 sedation, such as the one provided by DEX, is beneficial. We aimed to study the effects and safety of DEX in the different NORA settings in the adult population.
METHODS
A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted. Interventions using DEX only or DEX associated with other sedative agents, in adults (18 years old or more), were included. Procedures outside the NORA setting and/or without a control group without DEX were excluded. MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO were searched. The primary outcome was time until full recovery. Secondary outcomes included hemodynamic and respiratory complications and other adverse events, among others.
RESULTS
A total of 97 studies were included with a total of 6,706 participants. The meta-analysis demonstrated that DEX had a higher time until full recovery (95% CI = [0.34, 3.13] minutes, a higher incidence of hypotension (OR = 1.95 [1.25, 3.05], p = 0.003, I = 39%) and bradycardia (OR = 3.60 [2.29, 5.67], p < 0.00001, I = 0%), and a lower incidence of desaturation (OR = 0.40 [0.25, 0.66], p = 0.0003, I² = 60%).
CONCLUSION
DEX in NORA procedures in adults was associated with a lower incidence of amnesia and respiratory effects but had a long time to recovery and more hemodynamic complications.
PubMed: 34933035
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjane.2021.12.002 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023The role of histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) in memory and the prospective of H3R antagonists in pharmacological control of neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's...
The Potent and Selective Histamine H3 Receptor Antagonist E169 Counteracts Cognitive Deficits and Mitigates Disturbances in the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β Signaling Pathway in MK801-Induced Amnesia in Mice.
The role of histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) in memory and the prospective of H3R antagonists in pharmacological control of neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease (AD), is well-accepted. Therefore, the procognitive effects of acute systemic administration of H3R antagonist E169 (2.5-10 mg/kg, i.p.) on MK801-induced amnesia in C57BL/6J mice using the novel object recognition test (NORT) were evaluated. E169 (5 mg) provided a significant memory-improving effect on MK801-induced short- and long-term memory impairments in NORT. The E169 (5 mg)-provided effects were comparable to those observed with the reference phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 and were abrogated with the H3R agonist ()-α-methylhistamine (RAMH). Additionally, our results demonstrate that E169 ameliorated MK801-induced memory deficits by antagonism of H3Rs and by modulation of the level of disturbance in the expression of PI3K, Akt, and GSK-3β proteins, signifying that E169 mitigated the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway in the hippocampus of tested mice. Moreover, the results observed revealed that E169 (2.5-10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter anxiety levels and locomotor activity of animals in open field tests, demonstrating that performances improved following acute systemic administration with E169 in NORT are unrelated to changes in emotional response or in spontaneous locomotor activity. In summary, these obtained results suggest the potential of H3R antagonists such as E169, with good in silico physicochemical properties and stable retained key interactions in docking studies at H3R, in simultaneously modulating disturbed brain neurotransmitters and the imbalanced Akt-mTOR signaling pathway related to neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., AD.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Dizocilpine Maleate; Histamine H3 Antagonists; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Amnesia; Alzheimer Disease; Signal Transduction; Cognition
PubMed: 37628900
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612719 -
World Neurosurgery Aug 2023A 72-year-old female with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department from an outside hospital with acute confusion and global...
A 72-year-old female with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department from an outside hospital with acute confusion and global amnesia immediately following cervical epidural steroid injection with fluoroscopic guidance for radiculopathy relief. On exam, she was oriented to self, but disoriented to place and situation. Otherwise, she was neurologically intact with no deficits. Head computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse subarachnoid hyperdensities most prominent in the parafalcine region concerning for diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and tonsillar herniation concerning for intracranial hypertension. CT angiograms of head and neck were negative for vascular abnormalities. Dual-energy head CT was subsequently performed 4 hours later without IV contrast. The 80 kV sequence revealed prominent diffuse hyperdensity throughout the cerebrospinal fluid spaces in bilateral cerebral hemispheres, basal cisterns, and posterior fossa consistent with the initial CT, but these corresponding regions were relatively less dense on the 150 kV sequence. These findings were consistent with contrast material in the cerebrospinal fluid spaces without evidence of intracranial hemorrhage or transcortical infarct. Three hours later, the patient's transient confusion resolved, and she was discharged home the next morning without any neurological deficit.
Topics: Female; Humans; Aged; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Head; Confusion; Intracranial Hemorrhages
PubMed: 37207723
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.05.043 -
Addictive Behaviors Aug 2023To identify factors (manner of drinking, combined alcohol and other substance use, physiology) that are associated with alcohol-induced blackouts (AIBs) over and above...
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors (manner of drinking, combined alcohol and other substance use, physiology) that are associated with alcohol-induced blackouts (AIBs) over and above estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC).
METHODS
Students (N = 462, 51.7 % female, 87.7 % White, M = 20.1) were assessed across 6 weekends via e-surveys (80-97 % response rate). eBAC was calculated using standard number of drinks, drinking duration, sex, and weight. Three-level multilevel models (days, weeks, persons) were conducted to test for main effects, controlling for eBAC.
RESULTS
Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) were associated with decreased odds of AIBs on the daily (OR = 0.64, 95 % CI: 0.53, 0.77), weekly (OR = 0.84, 95 % CI: 0.72, 0.98), and person-levels (OR = 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.51, 0.74). Combined cannabis with alcohol was associated with increased odds of AIBs on the weekly (OR = 2.13, 95 % CI 1.13, 4.07) and person-levels (OR = 3.56, 95 % CI 1.60, 7.93). People who more frequently played drinking games (OR = 1.41, 95 % CI: 1.12, 1.77), pregamed (OR = 1.55, 95 % CI: 1.19, 2.03), and showed higher tolerance (OR = 1.22, 95 % CI: 1.08, 1.37) showed increased risk of AIBs, over and above eBAC levels.
CONCLUSION
We identified a number of daily-, weekly-, and person-level factors that uniquely contribute to the prediction of AIBs even at equivalent eBACs. Many of these factors were behavioral, suggesting that they may serve as malleable prevention targets for AIBs in college student drinkers.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Male; Alcohol Drinking; Multilevel Analysis; Blood Alcohol Content; Amnesia, Anterograde; Ethanol; Students; Alcohol Drinking in College; Universities
PubMed: 37001258
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107706 -
Alcohol and Alcoholism (Oxford,... Mar 2024This study aimed to test whether the alcohol harm paradox (AHP) is observed in Brazil by investigating (i) the association between educational attainment and...
AIMS
This study aimed to test whether the alcohol harm paradox (AHP) is observed in Brazil by investigating (i) the association between educational attainment and alcohol-related consequences (ARC) and (ii) the contribution of average alcohol volume consumed (AVC), past-month heavy episodic drinking (HED), smoking, body mass index (BMI), and depression in accounting for the disparities in ARC.
METHODS
We analysed data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey, a nationally representative household survey. The composite ARC outcome was considered present when an individual reported a past-year episode of activity failure, amnesia, and concern by others due to alcohol consumption. Adjusted binary logistic regression models were fitted using a hierarchical approach to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CI), and to assess the contribution of each set of variables in attenuating the educational differences in ARC.
RESULTS
Those from the lowest educational strata (incomplete elementary school) exhibited higher odds of ARC than their counterparts (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.73-2.37). Although smoking, BMI, and depression attenuated the educational gradient (i.e. reduced the difference between reference and riskier categories) in ARC by ~13%, the adjustment for AVC and HED amplified inequalities by 0.3% and 5.7%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
We found evidence of the AHP in Brazil. Educational inequalities in ARC were scarcely attenuated by behavioural factors, and a suppression effect was noted when adjusting for AVC and HED.
Topics: Humans; Brazil; Male; Female; Adult; Educational Status; Middle Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Young Adult; Adolescent; Depression; Health Surveys; Body Mass Index; Smoking; Socioeconomic Factors; Aged
PubMed: 38695263
DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agae030 -
Neurology Nov 2023Blood biomarkers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) have recently been Food and Drug Administration approved as...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Blood biomarkers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) have recently been Food and Drug Administration approved as predictors of intracranial lesions on CT after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, most cases with mTBI are CT negative, and no biomarkers are approved to assist diagnosis in these individuals. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal combination of blood biomarkers to assist mTBI diagnosis in otherwise healthy adults younger than 50 years presenting to an emergency department within 6 hours of injury. To further understand the utility of biomarkers, we assessed how biological sex, presence or absence of loss of consciousness and/or post-traumatic amnesia (LOC/PTA), and delayed presentation affected classification performance.
METHODS
Blood samples, symptom questionnaires, and cognitive tests were prospectively conducted for participants with mTBI recruited from The Alfred Hospital Level 1 Emergency & Trauma Center and uninjured controls. Follow-up testing was conducted at 7 days. Simoa quantified plasma GFAP, UCH-L1, tau, neurofilament light chain (NfL), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) analysis assessed classification accuracy for diagnosed mTBI, and logistic regression models identified optimal biomarker combinations.
RESULTS
Plasma IL-6 (AUC 0.91, 95% CI 0.86-0.96), GFAP (AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.93), and UCH-L1 (AUC 0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.88) best differentiated mTBI (n = 74) from controls (n = 44) acutely (<6 hours), with NfL (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.72-0.90) the only marker to have such utility subacutely (7 days). Biomarker performance was similar between sexes and for participants with and without LOC/PTA, with the exception at 7 days, where GFAP and IL-6 retained some utility in female participants (GFAP: AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.88; IL-6: AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.87) and in those with LOC/PTA (GFAP: AUC 0.73, 95% CI 0.59-0.86; IL-6: AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.84). Acute IL-6 ( = 0.50, 95% CI 0.34-0.64) outperformed GFAP and UCH-L1 combined ( = 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-0.50), with the best acute model featuring GFAP and IL-6 ( = 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.68).
DISCUSSION
These findings indicate that adding IL-6 to a panel of brain-specific proteins such as GFAP and UCH-L1 might assist in the acute diagnosis of mTBI in adults younger than 50 years. Multiple markers had high classification accuracy in participants without LOC/PTA. When compared with the best-performing acute markers, subacute measures of plasma NfL resulted in minimal reduction in classification accuracy. Future studies will investigate the optimal time frame over which plasma IL-6 might assist diagnostic decisions and how extracranial trauma affects utility.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Brain Concussion; Interleukin-6; Brain; Biomarkers; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Brain Injuries, Traumatic
PubMed: 37788938
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207881