Understanding False Memory in Alzheimer's Disease
 The Researchers in Dr. Andrew Budson's laboratory
at the VA hospital in Bedford are working to
understand false
memories in
Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Budson
was awarded a
$1 million, 5-year
grant from the
National Institute
on Aging to better
understand why
patients with AD
sometimes claim
to remember things
that did not happen.
"Patients
frequently remember
things that never happened, such as someone
coming into the house every night and moving
furniture around, or speaking with their long
deceased parent. Although sometimes these are true
delusions, more often they are false memories,"
reports Dr. Budson.
 To understand these false
memories, the researchers use simple computerized
memory tests. Most studies are performed on laptop
computers (see picture above). "We can perform the
tests at BU, at Bedford, or in your home," says Jill
Waring, senior research assistant. Other studies useEEG to record the electrical activity of the brain
while the person is remembering. “You wear a cap
like a swimming cap,” says Ellen Beth, research
assistant (pictured with cap at left), “and then we
can see what your brain is doing when you are
remembering.” The goal of these studies is provide
the basis for ways to reduce false memories in
patients with dementia. Patients, family members,
and those in the community who are interested
in participating in this research should contact
the laboratory at 781-687-3360 or
thebrainlab@yahoo.com. Most studies involve one
or two visits which last 1 to 3 hours.
ADMIRE: Aging and Decision Making
ADMIRE is the first research study of its kind to
investigate decision-making abilities of older
adults with mild cognitive impairment. Funded by
the National Institutes of Health, this study aims
to enroll 100 participants to examine the impact of
cognitive functions—such as memory, understanding,
and judgment—on decisional capacity. “Adequate
decision-making is a critical component of independent
living. We are interested in the interaction
between cognitive aging and decision making, with
particular emphasis on decisions regarding research
participation,” says Dr. Angela Jefferson, Assistant
Professor of Neurology and Principal Investigator for
the ADMIRE study.
The ADMIRE study involves a one-time visit to
the General Clinical Research Center at the Boston
University Medical Center. Participants will be asked
to complete paper and pencil tasks measuring memory,
problem solving, and language skills. They will
be asked to consider participating in an imaginary
research study, and respond to questions regarding
their decision. Participants will receive information
about how to prepare for important decisions that
arise with age. This study is currently recruiting
adults age 55 years or older, both with and without
memory problems. The emphasis of ADMIRE is
February 26, 2006 Alzheimer’s disease.
To learn more about participating
in this study, please contact Susan Lambe at
617-414-1077 or susanl@bu.edu. |
