As people get older, many start to notice changes in their memory. Forgetting names, misplacing items, or struggling to remember events can be early signs of cognitive decline.
Scientists have long been trying to understand how to protect the brain from aging and memory loss.
Now, a new study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University brings hope. Researchers there have discovered that a natural substance in our body might help keep our memory strong as we age.
The focus of the study was melatonin, a hormone most people know as the “sleep hormone.” Our bodies produce melatonin mainly at night to help us fall asleep. But once melatonin enters the body, it breaks down into smaller parts, called metabolites. One of these metabolites is called AMK, and it seems to play an important role in memory.
To find out how AMK affects memory, the scientists studied mice. Mice are often used in research because their brains work in ways similar to human brains.
In this study, the mice were first introduced to some objects until they became familiar with them. Later, the researchers gave the mice melatonin and its breakdown products, including AMK. The next day, the mice were tested to see if they remembered the objects.
Normally, mice spend more time looking at new things and less time on what they’ve already seen. This behavior helps researchers understand how well the mice remember. The study found that mice given AMK were better at remembering the objects. Even older mice, which usually have weaker memory, showed improvement.
The scientists also looked inside the mice’s brains to understand what was happening. They found that the metabolites, including AMK, were collecting in a part of the brain called the hippocampus.
This area is very important for forming long-term memories. Interestingly, when the researchers blocked the body from turning melatonin into AMK, the mice’s memory did not improve. This shows that AMK is likely the key player in helping memory, not melatonin by itself.
What makes this research exciting is that it worked in both young and old mice. Since memory problems often get worse with age, this raises hope that AMK might help people too.
If further studies show that AMK has the same effect in humans, it could be used to treat memory loss or conditions like Mild Cognitive Impairment, which sometimes leads to Alzheimer’s disease.
The study was published in the Journal of Pineal Research. While more research is needed, this finding opens a new door for possible treatments. One day, something as simple as a natural sleep hormone might be used to protect our memory and keep our minds sharp.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the protective power of dietary antioxidants against Alzheimer’s, and eating habits linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
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