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    Ankyrin2 is essential for neuronal morphogenesis and long-term courtship memory in Drosophila.
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2023-05-16) Schwartz S; Wilson SJ; Hale TK; Fitzsimons HL
    Dysregulation of HDAC4 expression and/or nucleocytoplasmic shuttling results in impaired neuronal morphogenesis and long-term memory in Drosophila melanogaster. A recent genetic screen for genes that interact in the same molecular pathway as HDAC4 identified the cytoskeletal adapter Ankyrin2 (Ank2). Here we sought to investigate the role of Ank2 in neuronal morphogenesis, learning and memory. We found that Ank2 is expressed widely throughout the Drosophila brain where it localizes predominantly to axon tracts. Pan-neuronal knockdown of Ank2 in the mushroom body, a region critical for memory formation, resulted in defects in axon morphogenesis. Similarly, reduction of Ank2 in lobular plate tangential neurons of the optic lobe disrupted dendritic branching and arborization. Conditional knockdown of Ank2 in the mushroom body of adult Drosophila significantly impaired long-term memory (LTM) of courtship suppression, and its expression was essential in the γ neurons of the mushroom body for normal LTM. In summary, we provide the first characterization of the expression pattern of Ank2 in the adult Drosophila brain and demonstrate that Ank2 is critical for morphogenesis of the mushroom body and for the molecular processes required in the adult brain for the formation of long-term memories.
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    Prospective Associations between Single Foods, Alzheimer’s Dementia and Memory Decline in the Elderly
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2018-07) Fischer K; Melo van Lent D; Wolfsgruber S; Weinhold L; Kleineidam L; Bickel H; Scherer M; Eisele M; van den Bussche H; Wiese B; König H-H; Weyerer S; Pentzek M; Röhr S; Maier W; Jessen F; Schmid M; Riedel-Heller SG; Wagner M
    Background: Evidence whether single “cognitive health” foods could prevent cognitive decline is limited. We investigated whether dietary intake of red wine, white wine, coffee, green tea, olive oil, fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, red meat and sausages, assessed by a single-food-questionnaire, would be associated with either incident Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) or verbal memory decline. Methods: Participants aged 75+ of the German Study on Aging, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe) cohort were regularly followed over 10 years (n = 2622; n = 418 incident AD cases). Multivariable-adjusted joint modeling of repeated-measures and survival analysis was used, taking gender and Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE ε4) genotype into account as possible effect modifiers. Results: Only higher red wine intake was associated with a lower incidence of AD (HR = 0.92; P = 0.045). Interestingly, this was true only for men (HR = 0.82; P < 0.001), while in women higher red wine intake was associated with a higher incidence of AD (HR = 1.15; P = 0.044), and higher white wine intake with a more pronounced memory decline over time (HR = −0.13; P = 0.052). Conclusion: We found no evidence for these single foods to be protective against cognitive decline, with the exception of red wine, which reduced the risk for AD only in men. Women could be more susceptible to detrimental effects of alcohol.
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    Ankyrin2 is essential for neuronal morphogenesis and long-term courtship memory in Drosophila
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2023-05-16) Schwartz S; Wilson SJ; Hale TK; Fitzsimons HL
    Dysregulation of HDAC4 expression and/or nucleocytoplasmic shuttling results in impaired neuronal morphogenesis and long-term memory in Drosophila melanogaster. A recent genetic screen for genes that interact in the same molecular pathway as HDAC4 identified the cytoskeletal adapter Ankyrin2 (Ank2). Here we sought to investigate the role of Ank2 in neuronal morphogenesis, learning and memory. We found that Ank2 is expressed widely throughout the Drosophila brain where it localizes predominantly to axon tracts. Pan-neuronal knockdown of Ank2 in the mushroom body, a region critical for memory formation, resulted in defects in axon morphogenesis. Similarly, reduction of Ank2 in lobular plate tangential neurons of the optic lobe disrupted dendritic branching and arborization. Conditional knockdown of Ank2 in the mushroom body of adult Drosophila significantly impaired long-term memory (LTM) of courtship suppression, and its expression was essential in the γ neurons of the mushroom body for normal LTM. In summary, we provide the first characterization of the expression pattern of Ank2 in the adult Drosophila brain and demonstrate that Ank2 is critical for morphogenesis of the mushroom body and for the molecular processes required in the adult brain for the formation of long-term memories.
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    Memory-related subjective cognitive symptoms in the adult population: prevalence and associated factors – results of the LIFE-Adult-Study
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2018-05-21) Luck T; Roehr S; Rodriguez FS; Schroeter ML; Witte AV; Hinz A; Mehnert A; Engel C; Loeffler M; Thiery J; Villringer A; Riedel-Heller SG
    Background Subjectively perceived memory problems (memory-related Subjective Cognitive Symptoms/SCS) can be an indicator of a pre-prodromal or prodromal stage of a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. We therefore sought to provide detailed empirical information on memory-related SCS in the dementia-free adult population including information on prevalence rates, associated factors and others. Methods We studied 8834 participants (40–79 years) of the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study. Weighted prevalence rates with confidence intervals (95%-CI) were calculated. Associations of memory-related SCS with participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, physical and mental comorbidity, and cognitive performance (Verbal Fluency Test Animals, Trail-Making-Test, CERAD Wordlist tests) were analyzed. Results Prevalence of total memory-related SCS was 53.0% (95%-CI = 51.9–54.0): 26.0% (95%-CI = 25.1–27.0) of the population had a subtype without related concerns, 23.6% (95%-CI = 22.7–24.5) a subtype with some related concerns, and 3.3% (95%-CI = 2.9–3.7) a subtype with strong related concerns. Report of memory-related SCS was unrelated to participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, physical comorbidity (except history of stroke), depressive symptomatology, and anxiety. Adults with and without memory-related SCS showed no significant difference in cognitive performance. About one fifth (18.1%) of the participants with memory-related SCS stated that they did consult/want to consult a physician because of their experienced memory problems. Conclusions Memory-related SCS are very common and unspecific in the non-demented adult population aged 40–79 years. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of this population has concerns related to experienced memory problems and/or seeks help. Already available information on additional features associated with a higher likelihood of developing dementia in people with SCS may help clinicians to decide who should be monitored more closely.
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    Modality effects and the relational dimension in the abstraction of memory schema : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1976) Roache, Margaret Shannon
    This study investigated the nature of memory representations constructed from explicit and implied information about two different types of relationships between the objects or actors described in a set of ordered propositions. The propositions described a situation which referred to either an action sequence or to a set of spatial relationships and were presented to subjects in two forms, verbal and pictorial. Ten year old children were given a recognition memory task based on the paradigm used by Bransford, Barclay and Franks (1972). The results showed that subjects had difficulty in distinguishing old recognition items from new situation preserving propositions based on inferences derived from the acquisition sequence, but readily rejected those new propositions that were not consistent with the relationships described in the original premises. This was the case when the original premises were presented in either verbal or pictorial form, and when the relational term used referred to either action sequences or to spatial relationships. An analysis of the results for specific combinations of modality and relational term showed some variation in the general pattern of responses. The construction and integration of inferences into memory representation was facilitated when action sequences were presented in the verbal modality, and when spatial relationships were portrayed in the pictorial modality. Action verbs were found to be particularly sensitive to modality effects. The concept of 'abstraction' is discussed in the light of the results. It is suggested that this concept is not a unitary one, and that research concerned with the abstraction of memory schema refers to two different types of abstractive process. The distinction between paradigmatic and syntagmatic relationships, originally outlined in Sassure's (1916) study of linguistics, is proposed as a useful way to characterise these processes.
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    The influence of macronutrients on cognitive performance : effects across age and task difficulty : thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Culligan, Nicola
    The effects of pure glucose, protein, and fat ingestion on tasks of paragraph recall, word recall, and mental arithmetic were examined. These effects were also investigated with regard to the age of the participant and the task difficulty level. Twelve young and twelve older adults participated in the study. Over four separate morning sessions, participants ingested one of the four drinks (glucose, protein, fat, or placebo), and completed easy and hard versions of the paragraph recall word recall, and mental arithmetic tasks. The between-group factor was Age of the participant (young or older adult). The within-group factors were type of Nutrient ingested (glucose, protein, fat, or placebo), and Difficulty Level (easy or hard). No effects of Nutrient were found in regard to overall task performance, collapsing across Age and Difficulty Level. There was no effect of Nutrient on the different performance levels of both age groups, or for the two task difficulty levels. However, post-hoc analyses did reveal a significant Nutrient x Age interaction for the elderly after ingestion of the protein drink. Trends in the data also pointed towards an enhancement effect of glucose for the paragraph recall and mental arithmetic tasks. Trends associated with performance levels after fat ingestion showed that fat tended to enhance mental arithmetic accuracy performance for the older adult age group. Protein did not appear to differ from placebo on any of the tasks, with the exception of the deficit in performance seen with the elderly on the mental arithmetic accuracy task. In addition, a post-hoc analysis of the effects of Nutrient on mood-state showed a significant Nutrient x Mood x Time interaction. These results were discussed in light of task-specific effects of nutrients and nutrient metabolism.
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    An investigation of cerebral asymmetry, echoic memory, and the stimulus suffix effect : a thesis ... for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1981) Blazina-Young, Elizabeth
    Echoic memory and hemispheric processing of two semantic categories of words were investigated utilizing a stimulus suffix paradigm under four delay conditions. The magnitude of the stimulus suffix effect was evaluated when combinations of concrete and abstract word lists and suffixes were monoaurally presented to the left and right ears. The results showed that the stimulus suffix effect occured for all information presented to both ears but was less pronounced when information was presented to the right ear. A right ear advantage for all information as well as a right ear advantage for abstract information was found. In addition, the right ear showed superior recall of abstract stimulus list and suffix combinations over other list and suffix combinations. Increasing delays between list and suffix presentation led to an increase in recall frequencies for terminal positions in the lists, but this increase was not systematic with delay. Results suggest that the right ear advantage often reported is due to right ear advantage for abstract information, and that echoic memory persists for at least 8 secs. These findings support the dual-trace processing model of hemispheric function and suggest that echoic memory may persist longer than the 2 secs implied by earlier researchers.
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    Glucose and cognitive performance : the effects of glucose on memory and sustained attention : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2004) Richardson, Kelly
    The effects of glucose on tasks of declarative memory, and sustained attention were examined. These effects were also investigated with regard to the age of the participant. Standard glucose and placebo conditions were run and also a natural history condition to analyse the possibility of a placebo effect. Twelve young and twelve older adults participated in the study. Over three separate morning sessions, participants ingested either the glucose or the placebo drink, or nothing for the natural history condition, and completed the cognitive tasks. The between-group factor was age of the participant (young or older adult). The within-group factor was the type of drink ingested (glucose, placebo, or natural history). The effects of glucose on the sustained attention task were investigated over time, divided into 10 × 2 min periods. No effects of drink were found in regard to overall task performance for either age group. There was one main effect for period on one measure of the sustained attention task. There was also an associated interaction effect for this measure. Trends in the data pointed towards the possibility of the existence of a placebo effect. The placebo condition yielded consistently better performance than the other two conditions on most tasks. These results were discussed in light of the possible existence of a placebo effect, and the condition-specific effects of glucose.
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    Hormone replacement therapy use and everyday memory in mid-aged New Zealand women : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) Hamilton, Yolande M
    There continues to be inconsistent evidence as to the extent that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may preserve memory performance in menopausal women. The Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test-Extended Version (RBMT-E) is a new measure of everyday memory developed for normal populations. The RBMT-E was used to test the everyday memory in a sample of 104 mid-aged New Zealand women (53 HRT users & 51 non-users). Measures of mood, affect, stress, general health and menopausal symptoms as well as age and education were also taken to control for possible confounds. Results showed significant differences (p< 0.5) between the groups for three sub-tests: 'Story Immediate', 'Story Delayed', and 'Message Delayed'. After calculation of a total profile score and adjustments for age and IQ, HRT users scored more highly than non HRT users on the RBMT-E overall measure of Everyday Memory. Conclusions suggest that HRT use does show a relationship with verbal memory, and that the potentially beneficial effect may assist in the performance of everyday memory tasks.
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    Menopause, mood and memory : the effect of hormone replacement therapy on mood and everyday memory in mid-life women : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Bristow, Virginia Margaret
    There is considerable neuro-scientific evidence that oestrogen influences memory and enhances mood because of its influence on brain mechanisms. Research on the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on both mood and memory is equivocal although findings indicate that oestrogen may enhance verbal memory. It has been suggested that this area of research should expand to include ecologically valid measures of everyday memory. This study examined the effect of HRT on mood and everyday memory in two separate samples of mid-life women. A cross-sectional comparison of HRT users and non-users among 124 women aged between 40 and 60 years showed that there were no significant differences in mood between HRT users and non-users. However, HRT users performed significantly better on tests of everyday memory and delayed verbal memory when the effects of age, IQ, and education were controlled for. A within-subjects comparison, using the same measures, with 17 women before, and 3 months after, HRT use, showed that negative mood states were reduced and positive mood states were enhanced by HRT, when change in stressful life events, self-rated health, sleep problems, vasomotor symptoms, and exercise were controlled for. The longitudinal sample also showed that everyday memory, working memory, and delayed verbal memory improved with HRT use. The improvement in memory was not mediated by mood. These results suggest that the effect of HRT on mood may only be short-term but that oestrogen does enhance everyday memory.