Memories lost due to Alzheimer’s may be recoverable

Memories lost to Alzheimer’s may be recoverable by stimulating nerve cells to grow new connections, a study has shown.

The proof-of-concept research, conducted in mice, raises the possibility of treatments that would reverse memory loss in early stages of the disease.

Optogenetics uses light to activate cells tagged with a special photo-sensitive protein. It was tested on mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, who quickly forgot receiving a mild electric shock to their feet. After tagged cells in their brains were stimulated with light, their memory returned, and they displayed a fear response in the chamber where the shock had been applied an hour earlier.