Researchers Restore Youthful Memory In Aging Mice

An anonymous reader writes "German neuroscientists made a breakthrough in 'age-related cognitive decline', a common condition that often begins in one's late 40s (especially declarative memory — the ability to recall facts and experiences). Their new study identifies a genetic 'switch' for the cluster of learning and memory genes that cause memory impairment in aging mice. By injecting an enzyme, the team 'flipped' the switch to its on position for older mice, giving them the memory and learning performance they'd enjoyed when they were young. Now the team ultimately hopes to recover seemingly lost long-term memory in human patients." The video, which explains the gene flipping mechanism, is worth a watch (2:18).

Wow......

[irreverant]

When I'm old I'll be able to recall how i misspent my youth. How depressing!

Oh great

[spun]

I was looking forward to an old age filled with pleasant memories of my many moon landings, that time I helped a young Jewish girl hide from the Spaniards, my service in the Gulf of Afgiraq, and my sexual exploits with Morgan Fairchild. And now you're going to take that away from me?

I've said this before...

[Locke2005]

but I'll say it again: never before in our history has there been such a good time as now to be a mouse!

Re:Oh great

[Locke2005]

Two old men were out walking with their wives. The first man says to the other man, "I had a great dinner last night at... what was that place? Uh, what's the name of that red flower?" The second man suggests, "Rose?" The first goes on, "That's it." He then calls over to his wife, "Hey, Rose! What's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"

Re:42

[PitaBred]

That's my age. I do notice it takes just a wee bit more effort to cram more stuff in my head than it used to. Other than that, I still enjoy my ability to recall ridiculous bits of obscure minutia that when viewed in total aren't enough to get me a good job, but are just enough to be annoying.

Seriously, though. My ability to commit stuff to memory and recall it *IS* one of my marketable skills. And anything that can help postpone the decline is welcome news.

Fixed that for you. Lemme guess... grammar and spelling aren't something you like committing to memory?

memory? learning?

[rcamans]

Oh, now I know what switch instantly gets flipped to off when you first read slashdot...
That explains a lot...

Re:42

[Em Emalb]

I would say "way to be a jerk to the guy", but I figure he won't remember you doing it in 10 minutes anyway. ;-P

Re:I've said this before...

[Locke2005]

No, scientists have been scientifically proven to cause cancer in laboratory mice.

Re:Wow......

[ChefInnocent]

Why am I reminded of the multi-attributed quote: If you remember the sixties, you weren't really there?

Re:Restore Youthful Memory In Aging Mice

[Tackhead]

So they remember everything, but they don't know anything?

Silence, Pinky, or I shall have to hurt you.

remembering passwords/phases from '85

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, it's pretty easy for me to remember, I just used the same passwords/phrases/pin-numbers since 1985...
Posting anon for obvious reasons ;^)

WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?

[Huzzah!]

Oh, I remember now...

Re:42

[Scrameustache]

That's my age.

Don't panic.