Alzheimer’s study reveals more about spatial memory problems

Researchers at Western University have created a model that recreates some of the chemical changes in the brain that occur with Alzheimer's.

This has shed more light on the devastating condition, as the investigation looked into reactions relating to a neurotransmitter – or chemical messenger – and the kinds of memory problems associated with it.

Published online by PNAS, Marco and Vania Prado and their colleagues at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry's Robarts Research Institute worked by creating a mouse line with similar brain regions to those of an Alzheimer's patient.

They found this neurochemical failure caused problems with spatial memory – such as information needed to find one's way around their home town. And they also unveiled hyperactive symptoms – which Alzheimer's sufferers also experience.

Mr Prado stated: "This reveals specific types of cognitive deficits that we can hope to improve with drugs that boost this chemical messenger."