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Memory reconsolidation as a tool to endure encoding deficits in elderly
Leonela M Tassone1,2, Facundo A Urreta Benítez1,2, Delfina Rochon1
1Laboratorio de Sueño y Memoria, Departamento de Ciencias de la vida, Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Plos One
|August 9, 2020
Summary
Older adults show memory improvement through memory reconsolidation, similar to younger adults. Repeated memory reactivation enhances recall in older individuals, suggesting potential for memory enhancement tools.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroscience of Aging
Background:
- Normal aging affects memory functions like acquisition, consolidation, and recall.
- Memory reconsolidation, a process where reactivated memories become modifiable, is proposed to be altered in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if older adults require stronger memory reactivation cues for memory strengthening via reconsolidation compared to young adults.
- To examine the effects of varying reminder presentations on memory persistence and strengthening in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A three-day experiment involving learning sound-word associations.
- Participants were divided into groups receiving no reminders, one reminder, or two rounds of reactivation on day 2.
- Memory recall was tested on day 7.
Main Results:
- Contrary to the hypothesis, older adults demonstrated memory improvement through repeated memory labilization/reconsolidation processes to the same extent as young adults.
- Repeated reactivation significantly enhanced memory recall in older adults.
Conclusions:
- Older adults benefit from memory reconsolidation processes similarly to younger adults.
- These findings suggest potential for developing therapeutic tools to enhance memory in healthy older adults and those with cognitive decline.
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