How memory and spatial cognition are related

U.S. researchers have gained fresh insights into how memory and special cognition are related.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Veteran Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System say that their findings are based on a study of memory-impaired patients as they navigated their environment.

The researchers say that path integration � the brain�s ability to compute the distance and direction of a travelled path � is an important aspect of spatial cognition, which has been long-thought to be dependent on the medial temporal lobe structures of the brain.

However, they insisted, their study showed that the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex � two major medial temporal lobe structures � are not essential for path integration.

Lead researcher Dr. Larry R. Squire said that the study, reported in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), was designed to measure whether these structures of the brain are essential for spatial cognition.

�For decades, the medial temporal lobe structures have been linked to both memory and spatial cognition,� said Squire.

The researcher further said that one important aspect of spatial cognition was keeping track of a reference location during movement by using internal cues, yet such tracking also relied on memory.

�So we set out to test how these two abilities related to one another and to the temporal lobe area of the brain,� Squire added.

During the study, the researchers looked at five memory-impaired patients with lesions of the medial temporal lobe along with seven matched controls, testing each for their path integration ability.

How memory and spatial cognition are related

What are the Best Games to Improve Memory?

Memory loss is a very serious complaint with many people these days. Memory loss is a term which is given to an abnormal degree of forgetfulness or an inability to be able to recall past events. Memory loss may have either a sudden or gradual onset, and it can be temporary or permanent.

There are many different causes of memory loss. Pregnancy and aging are two very common causes of memory loss, but just because there are situations which cause memory loss this certainly does not mean that you have to deal with it.

There are many things that you can do to help improve your memory, but using games to improve memory is by far one of the best things that you can ever do. This is because games to improve memory tend to be much more effective than most other methods, particularly because they are fun and enjoyable. This means that rather than being a task they are something that you will appreciate and this will offer you more significant results in terms of memory improvement.

What Games?

If you are wondering what games to improve memory you should use, then you should know that there are a few. Crossword puzzles are always a great idea, and they are simple so they are suitable for people of all ages. Jigsaw puzzles are also effective because they awaken and stimulate the brain, and match games are just as great.

You can even come up with your own games to improve memory, and to make it really fun you can get some of your friends and family members involved. This makes it a group activity and not only will you then have people you love around you to support you but they will be improving their memories at the same time so it is really a win-win situation.

Besides games to improve memory, there are also many other things that a person can do to help them deal with a memory loss condition. The best idea is to speak to your doctor if you are dealing with a condition such as this. They will help you to assess and diagnose your condition, as well as determine whether or not your memory loss is the sign of something more serious.

This is important because even short-term memory loss is often the sign of Alzheimer’s or a similar disease or form of dementia, and at least if you determine that there is a larger problem at hand you will be able to deal with it appropriately, as promptly as possible, therefore saving yourself from more serious, long-term damage.