Our brains are designed to forget the majority of what we experience in a day, and this is actually beneficial. Episodic memory, the ability to recall past events, allows us to mentally time travel, relive past experiences, and consider the future. As we age, episodic memory declines, but this may be a natural part of our brain's evolution, with younger adults needing sharper memory for survival and elders focusing on passing down wisdom. Understanding the purpose of forgetfulness can provide comfort, as it suggests that our brains are functioning as they evolved to do.
A study conducted by researchers in Japan suggests that consuming wasabi may lead to a significant increase in episodic memory. Participants who ingested wasabi extract experienced an average 18 percent boost in their episodic memory score, surpassing those who received a placebo. The compound 6-MSITC found in wasabi was found to reduce oxidant levels and inflammation in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory function. However, it is important to note that most wasabi available is actually horseradish dyed green, raising questions about the authenticity of the memory-boosting effects.
A new study suggests that a specific pattern of electrical activity in the hippocampus, a brain region responsible for episodic memory, can be detected before the recall of a false memory. This activity differs from the electrical activity associated with correctly remembering an event. Understanding this brain activity could help predict and potentially disrupt distressing false memories, such as those experienced by individuals with PTSD. The study also found that the situational context in which memories are formed plays a role in the similarity of hippocampal rhythms. Further research is needed to determine if these electrical signatures are responsible for false memories or simply coincide with their recall.
Endel Tulving, a renowned cognitive psychologist known for his groundbreaking work on human memory, has passed away at the age of 96. Tulving revolutionized the field by proposing the existence of two distinct forms of memory: semantic and episodic. He demonstrated that the brain stores and retrieves information on separate tracks, challenging the notion of memory as a single entity. Tulving's ideas were initially controversial but were later supported by studies using PET scans and interviews with amnesic patients. His contributions have had a lasting impact on psychology and neuroscience, earning him recognition as one of the most important cognitive scientists of the 20th century.
New research published in the Nature journal Communications Medicine suggests that regular exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, can support episodic memory as we age. The study found that exercising about three times a week for at least four months can yield the greatest benefits in memory, with the most significant improvements observed in individuals aged 55 to 68. Maintaining a regular exercise routine may help keep your memory sharp as you get older.
Volunteering has been found to significantly improve cognitive function, particularly executive function and episodic memory, in older adults, according to a study involving 2,476 seniors. Those who volunteered several times a week had the highest levels of executive function. While volunteering also showed a trend towards slower cognitive decline, this finding was not statistically significant. The study highlights the potential benefits of volunteering for cognitive and brain health in late life and encourages individuals of all ages to engage in local volunteering.
