PatientsintheearlystagesofAlzheimer’sdiseaseoftenstrugg...

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Patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease often struggle to remember recently learned information, meaning they forget things like important appointments or where they left their keys. But it seems that these memories are not lost. They are still filed away in the brain somewhere; they just can’t be easily accessed.

Now, researchers at MIT have developed a means of getting back memories in mice suffering from Alzheimer’s. The method relies on a technique that uses light to control genetically modified neurons (轉基因神經元). Currently it is too early to be used in human trials as it involves inserting light emitting (發光) equipment into the subjects’ brains, but the same principles still apply, the researchers said.

“The important point is that this is evidence of concept. That is, even if a memory seems to be gone, it is still there. It’s a matter of how to get it back,” said senior researcher Susumu Tonegawa.

The team took two groups of mice, one genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s and one healthy. They then placed them into a room and gave them a mild electric shock. All of the mice showed fear when put back in an hour later. When placed in the room a third time several days later, the Alzheimer’s mice acted normally. They had forgotten the shock.

The researchers were then able to bring back the memory of the shock by activating (激活) the cells in which the memories were stored. Even when the mice were put into an unfamiliar room, they showed fear when the cells associated with the shock were activated.

“Short-term memory seems to be normal, on the order of hours. But for long-term memory, these early-Alzheimer’s mice seem to be damaged,” said lead researcher Dheeraj Roy. “Directly activating the cells that we believe are holding the memory helps them get it back. This suggests that it is indeed an access problem to the information, not that they’re unable to learn or store this memory.”

28．What can we learn about the researchers at MIT?

A．They are the pioneers of brain research.

B．They have used the method in human trials.

C．They can cure Alzheimer’s using the new method.

D．They can get back memories in mice with Alzheimer’s.

29．Why did the Alzheimer’s mice behave normally a third time?

A．They failed to remember the electric shock.

B．They were accustomed to the situation.

C．They managed to overcome the fear.

D．They activated the association.

30．For long-term memory, the early Alzheiher’s mice _______.

A．can activate their blood cells B．can’t learn new tricks well