Gene linked to poor memory

[arcticpenguin]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2687267.stm

This article claims that a variation in the gene for BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) has been linked to poor memory.

They found people who had inherited two copies of the 'met' gene scored significantly lower in tests measuring ability to recall events after a delay.

Brain scans also revealed that people carrying the 'met' gene had different levels of activity in the hippocampus.

And chemical tests showed that their brain cells were less healthy and less likely to make connections with their neighbours.
...
But they also believe it probably has a positive effect which has yet to be pinned down.

[Plutarck]

I think I heard about that at some point.

[brace yourselves for the obvious]

But I can't really recall what it was all about.

[Soapy Sam]

Plutarck said-
"But I can't really recall what it was all about"

I vaguely recall something about mobile phones causing short term memory loss.

[Soapy Sam]

Don't mobile phones cause short term memory loss as well?

[Plutarck]

Originally posted by Soapy Sam
Don't mobile phones cause short term memory loss as well?

That reminds me: Has anyone seen my cell phone? I could have sworn I left it around here somewhere, but I just can't remember where...

[rwald]

Anyway, this study wouldn't really surprise me. I think if you look hard enough, you can find a gene which appears to be linked with anything. It's not what genes you have, but what you do with them...

[Dymanic]

I just read The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat .
(If forget the author's name).
Interesting non-technical discussion on memory loss and other cognitive disorders caused by disease, trauma, etc., and on how sufferers manage to cope.

[Shane Costello]

Originally posted by rwald:
I think if you look hard enough, you can find a gene which appears to be linked with anything. It's not what genes you have, but what you do with them...

An important thing to remember is that most traits and characteristics are polygenic, i.e. a number of genes controls the single trait. Memory loss is likely to be a quantitative trait, i.e. it exists in different degrees, from mild forgetfullness to Alzheimers disease, and traits like this are usually polygenic.

[Kilted_Canuck]

I'm renowned for my horrible short term memory. In school, it takes me about a day to remember what happened. I always leave stuff around and forget where it was; and I always forget stuff I just did,(I have been known to walk down to the basement 3 or 4 times to bring up supper.) Though, I can remember facts and figures for years and years. I must have that gene, because my parents are both sort of forgetful.

[Soapy Sam]

I just read The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat .
(If forget the author's name).

-Oliver Sacks.

By the way. Is there any truth in the story that mobile phones cause, ...thingy.. you know...when you forget things.

[xouper]

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