Alzheimer's spatial memory problems uncovered

New research has found out more details about the spatial memory issues known to be linked to people affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers at Western University conducted a study in which they created a mouse model that reproduces some of the chemical changes in the brain that occur with the condition.

Working with Marco Prado, Vania Prado and their colleagues at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry's Robarts Research Institute, the study created a mouse line that does not have enough ACh being secreted by neurons in the same brain regions affected by Alzheimer's disease and it was discovered that this neurochemical failure caused problems with spatial memory, which is the stored information that is needed for navigating an individual's environment.

"Once we reproduced that neurochemical failure, we asked, 'how does that affect spatial memory, how does it affect learning?'," said Mr Prado, who added the researchers found mice that do not have that particular chemical messenger in specific areas of the brain have problems with spatial memory.

A team led by Dr Emmanuelle Duron from Broca Hospital in Paris recently found there could be a hormonal link to a person's likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.

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