Synergistic alleviation effects of Anchovy hydrolysates-catechin on scopolamine-induced mice memory deficits: the exploring of potential relationship among gut-brain-axis

Anchovy protein hydrolysates (APH) and Catechin (CA) have been proved to be effective in memory improvement. However, effects of APH-CA conjugates on their memory enhancing are little investigated. The underlying...

Evaluation effects of “An Tri Khang” hard capsule on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in experimental animals

This study was performed to investigate the effects of An Tri Khang (ATK) hard capsule on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in experimental animals. The effects on memory of oral administration ATK were evaluated on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in experimental animals. The memory improvement effects were conducted on 2 experimental models: the Morris water maze (MWM) and the Multi-T maze (MTM). In the MWM model, ATK significantly reduced the time spent and pathlength to platform, increased the percentage of time swimming in platform’s quadrant. Swiss mice performed the MTM with shorter in both the time spent and the pathlength to the goal box (p < 0.01). Both doses of ATK attenuated scopolamine-mediated impairment of memory. ATK has potential effects on memory improvement. It is suggested that further clinical trials should be undertaken to have thorough assessment on human.

Neural networks implicated in autobiographical memory training

Training of autobiographical memory has been proposed as intervention to improve cognitive functions. The neural substrates for such improvements are poorly understood. Several brain networks have been previously linked to autobiographical recollections, including the default mode network (DMN) and the sensorimotor network. Here we tested the hypothesis that different neural networks support distinct aspects of memory improvement in response to training on a group of 59 subjects. We found that memory training increases DMN connectivity, and this associates with improved recollection of cue-specific memories. On the contrary, training decreased connectivity in the sensorimotor network, a decrease that correlated with improved ability for voluntary recall. Moreover, only decreased sensorimotor connectivity associated with training-induced decrease in the TNFalpha; immunological factor, which has been previously linked to improved cognitive performance. We identified functional and biochemical factors that associate with distinct memory processes improved by autobiographical training. Pathways which connect autobiographical memory to both high level cognition and somatic physiology are discussed.

Slow oscillations provide the spatio-temporal framework for long-range neural communication during sleep

Slow oscillations (SOs, <1Hz) during non-rapid eye movement sleep are thought to reflect sleep homeostasis and support memory consolidation. Yet, the fundamental properties of SOs and their impact on neural network communication are not understood. We used effective connectivity to estimate causal information flow across the electrode manifold during SOs and found two peak of information flow in specific phases of the SO. We show causal communication during non-rapid eye movement sleep peaks during specific phases of the SO, but only across long distances. We confirmed this prediction by cluster analysis demonstrating greater flow in global, compared with local, SOs. Finally, we tested the functional significance of these results by examining which SO properties supported overnight episodic memory improvement, with the underlying assumption that memory consolidation would engage global, long-range communication. Indeed, episodic memory improvement was predicted only by the SO properties with greatest causal information flow, i.e., longest distances between sinks and sources and global, but not local, SOs. These findings explain how NREM sleep (characterized as a state of low brain connectivity) leverages SO-induced selective information flow to coordinate a wide network of brain regions during memory formation.

Online Promotion of “Brain Health” Supplements

Objective: To identify the dietary supplements most commonly promoted online for brain health and to compare their major ingredients over 18 months. Mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease are increasing globally with few effective treatments available. Dietary supplements are widely promoted in the media and online for brain health and memory improvement despite minimal evidence of an actual effect. Methods: Incognito mode on Google Chrome was used to conduct four separate searches using the terms: memory supplement, brain health supplement, Alzheimer’s supplement, and dementia supplement. The four separate searches for products were conducted through CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, GNC, Amazon, Yahoo, and Google. For each website, the top 10 supplement products and their ingredients were documented in August 2017 and again in January 2019. Results: Of the four terms used, “memory supplement” and “brain health supplement” provided the most results. The most common products were Prevagen®, Procera®, and Neuro Health®. Amazon had the most repeated products in 2017 and 2019, while Google and CVS had the least. Focus Factor® appeared 11 times in 2019 compared with once in 2017. At both time points, the most commonly promoted products were proprietary blends of Ginkgo biloba, vitamins, particularly vitamin B12 and folic acid, huperzine-A, Bacopa monnieri, and phosphatidylserine. Conclusions: Though the 2017 and 2019 datasets showed diverse products, the primary ingredients were similar. These supplements have insufficient evidence of efficacy and are expensive. Health professionals must be knowledgeable about dietary supplements for brain health to appropriately counsel individuals.

A Prototype of Web-based Picture Cards Matching Video Game for Memory Improvement Training

This study aims to design an action-arcade web-based picture card matching video game for memory improvement. Picture cards to be matched are animals that usually exist in zoos and farms, like monkey, cow, dog, pig, chicken, zebra, elephant, owl, and mouse. This research uses the prototyping process model with the communication stage, quick planning, modeling, construction, and launching. The results of this study are web-based video games for memory improvement training. From the results of the user experience testing, 68% of respondents informed that they felt it was easier to remember. Index Terms—video game; action-arcade; picture cards matching; prototyping; memory improvement training