Study of over 30,000 people finds link between a blood type and pre-dementia symptoms.
Study of over 30,000 people finds link between a blood type and pre-dementia symptoms.
People who have the blood type AB could be more likely to suffer memory loss with age.
The relatively uncommon blood type, found in around 4 percent of people, has now been linked to memory and thinking problems with age.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that people with AB blood types were 82 percent more likely to develop the cognitive problems that can lead to dementia (Alexander et al., 2014).
Dr Mary Cushman, a professor of haematology at the University of Vermont, who led the study, said:
“Our study looks at blood type and risk of cognitive impairment, but several studies have shown that factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
Blood type is also related to other vascular conditions like stroke, so the findings highlight the connections between vascular issues and brain health.”
The study followed over 30,000 people for around three-and-a-half years.
Of these people, 495 developed memory and thinking problems during the course of the study.
They were compared with 587 people who did not evidence any cognitive problems.
Those with blood type AB should not worry unduly, however, in comparison to lifestyle and environmental effects, the influence of blood type is relatively small.
In other words: exercising regularly, eating well and avoiding smoking will likely have a much larger positive effect than the negative effect of blood type.
The researchers were also quick to caution that this is a preliminary finding that does not prove there is a causal link.
Explore what long-term memory is, how it works, its types, and tips to improve memory retention for better learning and recall.
Long-term memory is a fundamental part of human cognition, enabling us to retain information over extended periods.
What is long-term memory
Long-term memory refers to the ability to store and retrieve information over extended periods, from hours to an entire lifetime.
Unlike short-term memory, which holds limited information for a brief period, long-term memory has an enormous capacity and duration.
It allows us to remember facts, experiences, skills, and knowledge, shaping our identity and understanding of the world.
Types of long-term memory
Long-term memory is broadly categorised into two main types: explicit memory and implicit memory.
Explicit memory
Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves conscious recollection of information.
It can be further divided into:
Episodic memory: This stores personal experiences and events, such as a birthday party or a holiday trip. It enables us to mentally travel back in time and relive those moments.
Semantic memory: This deals with general knowledge and facts about the world, such as knowing the capital of a country or the meaning of words. It does not rely on specific personal experiences.
Implicit memory
Implicit memory, or non-declarative memory, operates unconsciously and involves skills and habits.
It includes:
Procedural memory: This allows us to perform tasks such as riding a bicycle, driving a car, or typing on a keyboard without consciously thinking about each step.
Priming: This occurs when exposure to a stimulus influences our response to a later stimulus, even if we are unaware of the connection.
Processes involved in long-term memory
The formation of long-term memory involves several processes that work together to encode, store, and retrieve information effectively.
Encoding
Encoding is the process of converting information into a format that can be stored in long-term memory.
Effective encoding often requires attention, meaning, and repetition.
Techniques such as visualisation, association, and elaborative rehearsal can enhance encoding.
Storage
Once encoded, information is stored in long-term memory, where it remains for future use.
The brain organises information by connecting it to related concepts and experiences.
This creates a network of memories that are easier to retrieve when needed.
Retrieval
Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information when required.
Successful retrieval depends on how well the information was encoded and stored.
Cues, such as images, smells, or words, can trigger memory recall.
Consolidation
Consolidation is the stabilisation of memories after they are initially encoded.
During this process, new memories become more durable and resistant to interference.
Sleep plays a significant role in consolidation by strengthening neural connections.
Factors influencing long-term memory
Several factors impact the effectiveness of long-term memory, either positively or negatively.
Sleep: Adequate sleep improves memory consolidation and enhances recall.
Emotional significance: Emotionally charged experiences are more likely to be remembered due to the involvement of the amygdala, which strengthens memory formation.
Repetition: Regular review and rehearsal of information reinforce neural pathways, making it easier to retain and retrieve memories.
Stress: While mild stress can enhance memory, chronic stress and high cortisol levels can impair memory formation and retrieval.
Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins supports brain health and memory.
How to enhance long-term memory
Improving long-term memory involves adopting strategies that enhance encoding, storage, and retrieval processes.
Here are some practical techniques:
Use mnemonic devices: Acronyms, rhymes, and visual imagery can help organise and retain information effectively.
Break information into chunks: Dividing large amounts of information into smaller, manageable pieces makes it easier to remember.
Spaced repetition: Reviewing material at regular intervals strengthens memory retention over time.
Stay mentally active: Activities such as puzzles, reading, and learning new skills stimulate brain function and promote cognitive health.
Exercise regularly: Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, supporting memory and overall cognitive performance.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress improve brain health and memory.
Long-term memory and ageing
As we age, changes occur in the brain that can affect long-term memory.
Effects of ageing on memory
Age-related memory decline is a natural part of the ageing process.
Older adults may experience difficulty in recalling names, dates, and recent events.
However, implicit memory and well-established knowledge often remain intact.
Strategies to mitigate memory decline
While ageing affects memory, certain strategies can help preserve cognitive function:
Stay socially engaged: Interacting with others stimulates brain activity and reduces the risk of cognitive decline.
Exercise the brain: Engaging in challenging mental activities, such as crosswords, Sudoku, and brain-training games, keeps the mind sharp.
Stay physically active: Regular physical exercise supports brain health and improves memory.
Manage stress: Reducing stress through meditation, mindfulness, or hobbies protects the brain from memory impairments.
The neurological basis of long-term memory
Long-term memory is rooted in the brain’s structure and neural mechanisms.
Brain structures involved
Several brain regions play key roles in long-term memory:
Hippocampus: Critical for encoding and consolidating new memories, the hippocampus is often referred to as the brain’s memory hub.
Amygdala: This structure processes emotional memories, making them more vivid and lasting.
Cerebral cortex: Long-term storage of memories occurs in the cortex, where information is distributed across different areas depending on its nature.
Basal ganglia: Involved in procedural memory, the basal ganglia support skills and habits that require repetition.
Neural mechanisms
Memory formation relies on changes in neural connections, known as synaptic plasticity.
Long-term potentiation (LTP) strengthens the connections between neurons, enabling the brain to store information more effectively.
Neurotransmitters such as glutamate, dopamine, and acetylcholine also play essential roles in memory processes.
Disorders affecting long-term memory
Certain medical conditions can impair long-term memory, affecting an individual’s ability to retain and retrieve information.
Amnesia
Amnesia involves memory loss due to brain injury, trauma, or illness.
It can be classified as retrograde amnesia, where past memories are lost, or anterograde amnesia, which impairs the ability to form new memories.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects memory and cognitive functions.
It is characterised by the accumulation of plaques and tangles in the brain, leading to memory loss and decline in daily functioning.
Other cognitive disorders
Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries can also impact long-term memory, depending on the severity and location of brain damage.
Conclusion
Long-term memory is a complex and essential cognitive function that allows us to store and recall information over extended periods.
It is divided into explicit and implicit memory, with processes such as encoding, storage, and retrieval enabling its functionality.
Factors like sleep, repetition, and emotional significance influence memory retention, while strategies such as mnemonic devices and spaced repetition can improve long-term memory.
Understanding the neurological basis of memory and adopting healthy habits can help preserve cognitive function, especially as we age.
By recognising the importance of long-term memory and taking steps to enhance it, we can improve our ability to learn, recall, and adapt throughout life.
These 12 memory hacks involve nutrition, smells, specific types of exercise, drawing and even changing location.
Ever wish you could unlock the secret to a sharper memory without endless hours of repetition or intense study sessions?
The good news is, psychological research has uncovered a range of techniques that can help you enhance your memory in surprising, and often enjoyable, ways.
Whether you’re trying to ace a test, remember new names, or simply want to hold onto the details of life’s everyday moments, these methods are scientifically backed to give your brain the boost it needs.
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We can only recall a very small proportion of the memories we make each day.
We can only recall a very small proportion of the memories we make each day.
Research finds that rewarding memories are recalled preferentially because the brain replays them automatically when we are at rest.
The brain prioritises rewards as they are important cues about future behaviour.
Professor Charan Ranganath, one of the study’s authors, said:
“Rewards help you remember things, because you want future rewards.
The brain prioritizes memories that are going to be useful for future decisions.”
In the study people looked at various pictures of objects on different backgrounds.
Some were associated with a higher reward for later recall.
When given a surprise memory test afterwards, people were better at remembering the objects with higher levels of reward.
Dr Matthias Gruber, one of the study’s co-authors, said:
“Also, when an object was associated with high reward, people remembered better the particular background scene that was on the screen during scanning.”
The interesting finding came from a series of brain scans conducted just after people had looked at the objects, while resting.
These suggested that people were replaying the high-reward memories to help mentally fix them in place.
Their brains were doing this automatically, without volition, since they didn’t know a test was coming.
The people who replayed the memories the most did the best on the surprise test.
Professor Ranganath said:
“It speaks to a memory process that is normally hidden from us.
Are you remembering what you really need to know?
It could depend on what your brain does while you are at rest.”
The unexpected way to make memories stick—without any extra effort.
The unexpected way to make memories stick—without any extra effort.
Just 10 minutes sitting quietly after learning something new is enough to boost people’s memory, research finds.
Quiet resting does not just help us remember, it also increases how much detail we subsequently recall.
Dr Michael Craig, who led the study, said:
“Recent research suggests that the memory system strengthens weak new memories by ‘reactivating’ them, where brain activity first observed during learning automatically reappears in the minutes that follow.
This appears especially true during sleep and quiet resting, when we’re not busy taking in any new sensory information.
We think that quiet resting is beneficial because it is conducive to the strengthening of new memories in the brain, possibly by supporting their automatic reactivation.
However, we don’t know exactly how this rest-related memory strengthening works.
Specifically, it remained unknown whether quiet resting only allows us to retain more information, or whether it also helps us to retain more detailed memories.”
People were shown a series of photos in the study — some were exactly the same as those they had seen before, and some were similar.
Those who rested after learning for just 10 minutes were better at spotting the subtly different photos.
Dr Craig explained:
“In this memory test, peoples’ ability to discriminate between ‘old’ and ‘similar’ photos provides a measure of how detailed stored memories are.
If detailed memories are stored, people should notice subtle differences in similar photos, and correctly respond ‘similar’.
However, if not-so detailed memories are stored, people should miss the subtle differences in similar photos, and mistake them for ‘old’ photos.
Interestingly, we found that younger adults who quietly rested in the minutes that followed the photo presentation were better at noticing subtle differences in similar photos, suggesting that these individuals stored more detailed memories, compared to those who did not rest.
This new finding provide the first evidence that a brief period of quiet rest can help us to retain more detailed memories.”
The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports (Craig et al., 2018).
