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Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Feb 2022Persistent memory complaints following concussion often do not coincide with evidence of objective memory impairment. To the extent this clinical presentation represents...
INTRODUCTION
Persistent memory complaints following concussion often do not coincide with evidence of objective memory impairment. To the extent this clinical presentation represents Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD), we would expect preservation or even enhancement of memory for instances of forgetting, based on two lines of prior evidence. First, emotional arousal enhances autobiographical memory. People who experience memory lapses as worrisome may better remember them. Second, individuals with FCD can paradoxically provide detailed accounts of memory lapses compared to patients with neurodegenerative disease, who tend to provide vague examples. The current study aimed to better characterize the recall of forgetting events in people with subjective memory problems following concussion.
METHODS
The study sample consisted of adults with chronic post-concussion symptoms (N = 37, M = 42.7 years old; 70.27% women; M = 24.9 months post-injury) and normal-range performance on conventional neuropsychological tests. Participants completed a measure of memory complaint severity and the Autobiographical Interview (AI). The AI was used to quantify the richness of narrative recollections of recent instances when they forgot something and (control) personal events that did not involve forgetting. Linear regression modeling assessed the relationship between memory complaint severity and AI variables, including narrative details, valence, arousal, and rehearsal of memories.
RESULTS
There was no association between memory complaint severity and memory for forgetting vs. control events. We further found no association between memory complaint severity and AI performance overall (collapsing across forgetting and control events). Participants with greater memory complaints experienced past memory lapses as more negative than control memories, but did not consistently differ on other AI phenomenological variables.
CONCLUSION
Autobiographical recall of memory lapses appears preserved but not selectively heightened in people who report experiencing severe memory problems long after concussion. This inconsistency supports conceptualization of persistent memory complaints after concussion as FCD.
Topics: Adult; Brain Concussion; Female; Humans; Male; Memory Disorders; Memory, Episodic; Mental Recall; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuropsychological Tests; Post-Concussion Syndrome
PubMed: 35536243
DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2022.2067326 -
Food & Function Nov 2020In this study, the effects of 6-paradol (6P) and 6-paradol-β-glucoside (6PG) on neuritogenesis were investigated using PC12 cells. Treatment with 200 μM 6P or 6PG and...
In this study, the effects of 6-paradol (6P) and 6-paradol-β-glucoside (6PG) on neuritogenesis were investigated using PC12 cells. Treatment with 200 μM 6P or 6PG and nerve growth factor (NGF) (5 ng mL-1) increased the number of elongated dendritic cells 8.7 and 5.4 times, respectively, compared to that with NGF (5 ng mL-1) treatment alone. 6P and 6PG did not stimulate the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2 and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) pathway as their activities were suppressed by the pathway inhibitor, k252a. 6P enhanced Ca2+ influx into the cells, whereas 6PG had no effect on Ca2+ influx, although it stimulated PC12 cell differentiation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of 6PG in PC12 culture medium suggested that 6PG was deglycosylated to generate 6P, which exhibited the effect. Furthermore, the bioactivities of 6P and 6PG were investigated in mice, and the results revealed that they ameliorated short-term memory loss in animals during behavioral testing.
Topics: Animals; Calcium; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; Glucosides; Guaiacol; Humans; Ketones; Male; Memory; Memory Disorders; Mice; PC12 Cells; Phosphorylation; Plant Extracts; Rats; Receptor, trkA; Seeds; Signal Transduction; Zingiberaceae
PubMed: 33094793
DOI: 10.1039/d0fo01975e -
Alzheimer's & Dementia : the Journal of... Jun 2020We explore here that memory loss observed in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a disorder of memory retrieval, instead of a storage impairment. This...
OBJECTIVE
We explore here that memory loss observed in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a disorder of memory retrieval, instead of a storage impairment. This engram-centric explanation aims to enlarge the conceptual frame of memory as an emergent behavior of the brain and to propose a new treatment strategy for memory retrieval in dementia-AD.
BACKGROUND
The conventional memory hypothesis suggests that memory is stored as multiple traces in hippocampal neurons but recent evidence indicates that there are specialized memory engrams responsible for the storage and the retrieval of different memory types.
UPDATED MEMORY HYPOTHESIS
There are specialized memory engram neurons for each memory type and when information will be stored as a memory arrives in the hippocampus through afferent neurons finds its neuron according to the excitability states of engram neurons. The excitability level in engram neurons seems like a code canalizing the interactions between engrams and information. Therefore, to enhance the excitability of memory engram neurons improves memory loss observed in AD. In addition, we suggest that the hippocampus creates an index for information stored in memory engram cells in specialized regions for different types of memory, instead of storing all information; and different anatomic locations of engram cells and their roles in memory retrieval point out that memory could be an emergent behavior of the brain, and the interaction between serotonin fluctuation and engram neurons could be neural underpinnings of terminal lucidity.
MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR THE MODEL
The major challenge for this engram-centric memory retrieval model is the translation from bench to patient, specifically the delivery of optogenetic tools in patients. Engram neurons can be specifically activated by optogenetic tools, but optogenetics is an invasive technique which requires optic fiber implantation into the brain. In addition, light can overheat the tissue and thus induce damage in tissue. Furthermore, light is a foreign object and its direct implantation into the brain may cause neuroinflammation, the main trigger of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, to test the engram hypothesis in human, new tools to allow specific engram activation should be discovered.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Humans; Memory; Memory Disorders; Models, Neurological; Neurons
PubMed: 32333509
DOI: 10.1002/alz.12071 -
Depression and Anxiety 2008Memory complaints are found to be associated with depression. However, the question is, "How much these subjective complaints indicate objective memory impairments?" The...
Memory complaints are found to be associated with depression. However, the question is, "How much these subjective complaints indicate objective memory impairments?" The aim of this study is to determine whether subjective memory complaints represent objective memory impairments and to establish the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and subjective memory complaints. Sixty-four patients with MDD were assessed for objective memory performance through subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III. Memory complaints also were assessed in these patients with a structured interview. Thirty healthy controls were also included in the study to compare memory performance among groups. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was used to measure the severity and characteristics of depression. Patients with MDD who had longer duration and earlier onset of depression reported more memory complaints. MDD patients with memory complaints had more hypochondriac concerns but not more depression severity compared with those without memory complaints. There was no relationship between subjective memory complaints and objective memory performance in MDD patients. Patients with MDD with and without memory complaints had lower scores on the Wechsler Memory Scale-III than the control group. Subjective memory complaints are not a valid indictor of objective memory impairments, and the diagnostic value of self-reported memory is being questioned in patients with MDD. The cognitive status of MDD patients should be assessed routinely, regardless of the patient awareness of his or her cognitive deficits.
Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Humans; Hypochondriasis; Male; Memory Disorders; Middle Aged; Personality Inventory; Psychometrics; Reference Values; Self Disclosure; Wechsler Scales
PubMed: 17592609
DOI: 10.1002/da.20343 -
Behaviour Research and Therapy Jan 2005Studies on the link between checking and memory problems have produced equivocal results regarding a general memory deficit in patients with obsessive-compulsive...
Studies on the link between checking and memory problems have produced equivocal results regarding a general memory deficit in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and subclinical checkers. However, there is clear and consistent evidence that patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) show lack of confidence in their memory performance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate memory and metamemory performance (feeling-of-knowing judgments) for neutral and threat-related material in three groups: OCD patients (OCs), subclinical checkers (SCs), and normal controls (NCs). Participants studied a list of neutral and threat word pairs. After an initial cued-recall test, they provided feeling-of-knowing (FOK) judgments for unrecalled word pairs, followed by a recognition test. The results showed that OCs but not SCs were impaired in both recall and recognition compared to NCs. OCs were also less confident about their future memory performance than the other two groups, as reflected in their lower FOK ratings. Moreover, FOK judgments of the OCs were not reliable predictors of their recognition performance. Finally, neither OCs nor SCs showed any evidence of memory bias for threat-relevant information. The results support the idea of a general memory and a metamemory deficit in OCs.
Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Anxiety; Emotions; Humans; Judgment; Memory Disorders; Mental Recall; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Psychological Tests; Recognition, Psychology
PubMed: 15531350
DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2003.11.001 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Jun 2022Memory disturbances are frequent in unipolar depression (UD) and bipolar disorder (BD) and may comprise important predisposing and maintaining factors. Previous studies...
BACKGROUND
Memory disturbances are frequent in unipolar depression (UD) and bipolar disorder (BD) and may comprise important predisposing and maintaining factors. Previous studies have demonstrated hippocampal abnormalities in UD and BD but there is a lack of studies specifically assessing hippocampus-dependent memory.
METHODS
We used a virtual task to assess hippocampus-dependent (allocentric) vs non-hipppocampal (egocentric) spatial memory in remitted and partially remitted patients with UD or BD (N = 22) and a healthy control group (N = 32). Participants also completed a range of standard neuropsychological and functional assessments.
RESULTS
Participants in the UD/BD group showed selective impairments on high-load hippocampal (allocentric) memory compared to egocentric memory and this effect was independent of residual mood symptoms. Across both samples, both allocentric and egocentric spatial memory correlated with more general measures of memory and other aspects of cognition measured on standard neuropsychological tests but only high-load allocentric memory showed a significant relationship with functional capacity.
CONCLUSION
Results show a selective impairment in high-load allocentric spatial memory compared to egocentric memory in the patient group, suggesting impaired hippocampal functioning in patients with remitted UD/BD.
Topics: Hippocampus; Humans; Memory Disorders; Mood Disorders; Neuropsychological Tests; Spatial Memory
PubMed: 35378488
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.01.042 -
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology &... Jun 2019Learning and memory performance have been reported to be impaired in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Impairments are associated with diminished...
OBJECTIVE
Learning and memory performance have been reported to be impaired in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Impairments are associated with diminished psychosocial functioning. Based on the processing-speed theory, we aimed to examine whether processing speed mediates the relationship between depression status and verbal, visuo-spatial and working memory impairment.
METHODS
A neuropsychological test-battery was administered to 106 patients with current MDD, 119 patients with remitted MDD and 120 healthy controls to assess processing speed, learning and memory performance. To examine the impact of diagnosis status and processing speed on learning and memory performance, simple mediation models were computed.
RESULTS
Currently depressed patients with MDD showed partially slowed processing speed, impaired short-term verbal and visuo-spatial memory performance compared to healthy controls. A basic deficit in processing speed mediated the relationship between depression status and verbal, visuo-spatial, and working memory impairment. However, there was no processing speed or memory impairment in patients with remitted MDD.
CONCLUSION
Processing speed is an important factor regarding learning and memory impairment in patients with current MDD. Thereby, our results highlight novel targets for treatment of diminished learning and memory performance via enhancement of processing speed using pharmacological as well as therapeutic interventions.
Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Humans; Male; Memory Disorders; Neuropsychological Tests; Remission Induction; Time Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 30831198
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.02.015 -
Journal of Neuropsychology Sep 2014Conversion disorder (CD) is a condition where neurological symptoms, such as weakness or sensory disturbance, are unexplained by neurological disease and are presumed to...
Conversion disorder (CD) is a condition where neurological symptoms, such as weakness or sensory disturbance, are unexplained by neurological disease and are presumed to be of psychological origin. Contemporary theories of the disorder generally propose dysfunctional frontal control of the motor or sensory systems. Classical (Freudian) psychodynamic theory holds that the memory of stressful life events is repressed. Little is known about the frontal (executive) function of these patients, or indeed their general neuropsychological profile, and psychodynamic theories have been largely untested. This study aimed to investigate neuropsychological functioning in patients with CD, focusing on executive and memory function. A directed forgetting task (DFT) using words with variable emotional valence was also used to investigate memory suppression. 21 patients and 36 healthy controls completed a battery of neuropsychological tests and patients had deficits in executive function and auditory-verbal (but not autobiographical) memory. The executive deficits were largely driven by differences in IQ, anxiety and mood between the groups. A subgroup of 11 patients and 28 controls completed the DFT and whilst patients recalled fewer words overall than controls, there were no significant effects of directed forgetting or valence. This study provides some limited support for deficits in executive, and to a lesser degree, memory function in patients with CD, but did not find evidence of altered memory suppression to support the psychodynamic theory of repression.
Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Cognition Disorders; Conversion Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Memory Disorders; Mental Recall; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Statistics as Topic
PubMed: 23582098
DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12017 -
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods... Sep 2023Memory disorder (MD) is a neurodegenerative disease that seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly in China. It is characterized by cognitive deficits and...
Memory disorder (MD) is a neurodegenerative disease that seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly in China. It is characterized by cognitive deficits and psychiatric symptoms. In addition to oxidative damage, neurotransmitter disorders, and other factors, Ca homeostasis and lipid metabolism are among the major pathways of MD etiology. Studies have shown that Ca influx, causing Ca overload, leads to neuronal apoptosis and alterations in lipid metabolites at all MD stages. Qifu decoction (QFD) is one of the classic compounds for the traditional treatment of dementia, which has been shown to significantly improve MD caused by dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). So far, it is not clear whether QFD can regulate Ca homeostasis and lipids to improve MD. In this study, we developed a scopolamine hydrobromide MD mouse model and performed neurobehavioral experiments and examinations of brain tissue pathology, Ca homeostasis-related factor levels, and non-targeted lipidomics to explore the mechanism of QFD action in improving MD. The results showed that four weeks of intragastric administration of QFD resulted in significant increases in the cognitive ability and spatial memory ability of the mice with MD. Furthermore, the damage to nerve cells was reduced, the levels of Ca and CaM in the serum were decreased, whereas the content of CaMKII was increased, and the Ca homeostasis was regulated. Non-targeted lipidomics detected four lipid subclasses and 17 potential differential metabolites. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that QFD significantly regulated sphingolipid metabolism and improved MD. In summary, QFD improves scopolamine hydrobromide memory impairment in mice by regulating the Ca signaling pathway and sphingolipid metabolism. This study provides new insights into the beneficial mechanism of QFD on MD from the perspective of lipidomics.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Animals; Mice; Lipidomics; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Quality of Life; Scopolamine; Memory Disorders; Alzheimer Disease; Sphingolipids; Lipids
PubMed: 37668283
DOI: 10.1039/d3ay00899a -
Neuropsychology Review Jun 2013Autobiographical memory refers to information and memories of personal life events, accumulated since childhood, which enable the construction of a feeling of identity... (Review)
Review
Autobiographical memory refers to information and memories of personal life events, accumulated since childhood, which enable the construction of a feeling of identity and continuity. Autobiographical memory retrieval is a dynamic and reconstructive process, as mental representations change with the passage of time. This flexible aspect of memory is linked to one's changing self and aspirations over time, that evolve according to our personal status and environment. Hence, any breakdown in the continuity of life involves a distortion of memory. Such distortions can be observed in stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, where autobiographical memory retrieval is characterized by overgenerality (i.e., the tendency to recall generic memories rather than specific events in response to cue words). Such memory disorders can be observed at different degrees in cancer patients. We will report studies focusing on the above-mentioned psychiatric disorders and cancer, and will attempt to establish a relation with autobiographical memory disturbances. The better understanding of such memory deficits could permit new pathophysiological hypotheses to emerge. Recommendations for future research that will enhance understanding of the factors that contribute to autobiographical memory in cancer are suggested.
Topics: Humans; Memory Disorders; Memory, Episodic; Mental Disorders; Neoplasms; Neuropsychological Tests; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 23640242
DOI: 10.1007/s11065-013-9233-6