Is There Hope For Short Term Memory Loss

You have recently noticed that you frequently forget a lot of things and worst you are not sure what exactly is causing this. Before going straight for the resolution, there should be a basic understanding of what short term memory or working memory loss means. Beginning with short term memory, this is the ability to hold some information in a span of twenty seconds where as short term memory loss usually manifests in the manner of unusual forgetfulness.

For some people, short term memory loss is enough to make them worry. But there's still hope for this condition because a study conducted by the Yale University has proved that short term memory loss can be reversed by using a drug regimen that yields long-lasting effects. The results from the study which was led by Stacy Castner can possibly pave the way to new treatment strategies for people who have short term memory loss. Meanwhile past studies show that the use of long-term treatment antipsychotic medications for disorders such as schizophrenia actually reduces the amount of D1 receptors in the cortical neurons. D1 receptors are considered as one of the dopamine receptors that directly control memory function.

On the other hand, results from the latest study show that long-term treatment using antipsychotic drugs impairs the memory specifically if the treatment has lasted several months. However, according to the same study, the memory impairment is reversed when the D1 receptors were stimulated by D1 agonist. The ABT-431 is the agonist used in the study to stimulate the D1 receptors and is still an experimental therefore it is not yet available.

Scientists consider the return of short term memory, which is lost usually because of old age and diseases such as Parkinson's and schizophrenia, very important because it this short term memory that briefly holds the information in the mind while in the process of determining an action. The treatment that proved successful in resolving short term memory loss only took a brief regimen of almost 4 weeks to get a positive result. Castner even mentioned that it can be shorter and still have the same effect. As a matter of fact the improvement of memory went beyond months and years even after the last treatment.

This means that the circuitry involved in the processing of memory had at least been restored either semi-permanently or for good. This information is a result of the test done on 6 primates but the ABT-431 has not been used on any human yet. Although the drug has not been released in the market and is therefore not yet available for consumers, with future tests further establishing the fact that the ABT-431 can indeed stimulate D1 receptors in humans and restore short term memory then there might be a chance to have this drug out in the market soon enough. But this will only take place only after the scientists have proven the ABT-431 is also effective in the restoration of short term memory in humans. Copyright (c) 2008 Robert Sifer.

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