Mountain Crown
The Living Force
[quote author=themedguru.com]Alzheimer's patients feel emotions even after memory fades—study
According to a fascinating new study, people with severe amnesia are able to process and conserve emotions long after the actual situations that instigated them have faded into oblivion.
The knowledge will not only justify the time spent by caregivers in the company of those who have dementia but also bring comfort that the good times shared still matter, even after thinking skills and memory have been destroyed.
Lead researcher Justin Feinstein, a doctoral student in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Iowa says, "What this research suggests is that we need to start setting a scientifically informed standard of care for patients with memory disorders.
"Here is clear evidence showing that the reasons for treating Alzheimer's patients with respect and dignity go beyond simple human morals."
Details of the study
In an effort to understand the complexities of dementia and related diseases, the researchers evaluated a group of five patients who had a rare condition called anterograde amnesia.
The patients had suffered severe brain damage to their hippocampus, a part of the brain that is vital for long-term memory.
As a result, they were unable to retain any lasting memories after they sustained injuries.
Feinstein asked them to watch film clips that dealt with tragic scenes and comic scenes designed to induce happy or sad emotions.
Observations by researchers
Everyone watching the film clips was moved by the emotions portrayed. However, those depicting negative feelings lingered longer than positive ones.
Five to ten minutes after the clip ended, the patients were subjected to a memory test about what they saw. Regardless of the short gap as expected, they had practically no factual memory of what they had just seen.
Feinstein stated, "Indeed, they still felt the emotion. Sadness tended to last a bit longer than happiness, but both emotions lasted well beyond their memory of the films."
Implications of the study
According to experts, interaction with those suffering from impaired memory in terms of sharing a joke, talking to them on the phone or paying them a visit could reap enormous benefits.
The findings could open new avenues for the way people with memory disorders are cared for. Despite, forgetting the actual event, the positive influence on a patient’s happiness might last long after their company has departed.
"A simple visit or phone call from family members might have a lingering positive influence on a patient's happiness, even though the patient may quickly forget the visit or phone call.
“On the other hand, routine neglect from staff at nursing homes may leave the patient feeling sad, frustrated, and lonely, even though the patient can't remember why,” said Feinstein.
The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
_http://www.themedguru.com/20100414/newsfeature/alzheimers-patients-feel-emotions-even-after-memory-fades-study-86134041.html[/quote]
I thought this to be interesting in light of what we know about emotional imprinting bypassing the cerebral cortex via the amygdala.
According to a fascinating new study, people with severe amnesia are able to process and conserve emotions long after the actual situations that instigated them have faded into oblivion.
The knowledge will not only justify the time spent by caregivers in the company of those who have dementia but also bring comfort that the good times shared still matter, even after thinking skills and memory have been destroyed.
Lead researcher Justin Feinstein, a doctoral student in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Iowa says, "What this research suggests is that we need to start setting a scientifically informed standard of care for patients with memory disorders.
"Here is clear evidence showing that the reasons for treating Alzheimer's patients with respect and dignity go beyond simple human morals."
Details of the study
In an effort to understand the complexities of dementia and related diseases, the researchers evaluated a group of five patients who had a rare condition called anterograde amnesia.
The patients had suffered severe brain damage to their hippocampus, a part of the brain that is vital for long-term memory.
As a result, they were unable to retain any lasting memories after they sustained injuries.
Feinstein asked them to watch film clips that dealt with tragic scenes and comic scenes designed to induce happy or sad emotions.
Observations by researchers
Everyone watching the film clips was moved by the emotions portrayed. However, those depicting negative feelings lingered longer than positive ones.
Five to ten minutes after the clip ended, the patients were subjected to a memory test about what they saw. Regardless of the short gap as expected, they had practically no factual memory of what they had just seen.
Feinstein stated, "Indeed, they still felt the emotion. Sadness tended to last a bit longer than happiness, but both emotions lasted well beyond their memory of the films."
Implications of the study
According to experts, interaction with those suffering from impaired memory in terms of sharing a joke, talking to them on the phone or paying them a visit could reap enormous benefits.
The findings could open new avenues for the way people with memory disorders are cared for. Despite, forgetting the actual event, the positive influence on a patient’s happiness might last long after their company has departed.
"A simple visit or phone call from family members might have a lingering positive influence on a patient's happiness, even though the patient may quickly forget the visit or phone call.
“On the other hand, routine neglect from staff at nursing homes may leave the patient feeling sad, frustrated, and lonely, even though the patient can't remember why,” said Feinstein.
The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
_http://www.themedguru.com/20100414/newsfeature/alzheimers-patients-feel-emotions-even-after-memory-fades-study-86134041.html[/quote]
I thought this to be interesting in light of what we know about emotional imprinting bypassing the cerebral cortex via the amygdala.
