A key to unlocking memory

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"Scientists have accidentally discovered a key to unlocking memory, which could offer hope to thousands of Alzheimer's sufferers," according to The Daily Telegraph. The Independent also reported the case of an obese man who had "experimental brain surgery" in an attempt to control his appetite, but whose brain was instead accidentally stimulated to induce a "déjà vu" like experience of an event from more than 30 years ago. In further experiments, the man was found to have improved memory and learning abilities when electrical current was applied to the same part of his brain. The newspapers said that the researchers are now repeating the experiment in Alzheimer's patients to see if it is beneficial, and, if successful, could provide hope to the thousands of sufferers by "providing a pacemaker for the brain".

Deep brain stimulation, the technique that provoked the experience, is already widely used as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. It involves surgically inserting electrodes into patients' brains and stimulating parts of the brain with an electric current.

These findings will be of interest to doctors and scientists and will probably lead to further research and development in the field of deep brain stimulation. However, it is too early to say if this treatment could have any potential benefit in the improvement of memory or the management of Alzheimer's disease. The findings are the result of a case study in one man only, who was not himself a sufferer of Alzheimer's. Further research in Alzheimer's patients is needed before it is known if this could be used as a treatment for the disease. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Lycopene, zinc linked to better prostate health
Lycopene, zinc and vitamin D show a 'weak association' for protection against benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a condition said to affect more than half of all men over the age of 50, suggests a new study. http://www.nutraingredients.com

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