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Memory has long been one of the most elusive concepts in human history, largely because the brain can be unreliable in storing and recalling information. Now, findings indicate that higher levels of a chemical known as gamma-Aminobutyric acid or GABA in one particular part of the brain can result in better memory retention and recall.
Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine and University of California-Davis teamed up to look into the role that GABA plays in organizing and using multiple pieces of information at once. They found that the amount of the chemical present in a particular part of the brain has a huge impact on these factors, MedicalXpress reports.
This discovery has a tremendous impact on several memory aspects, including working memory. This is when a person is multitasking by talking to someone, cleaning the house, and trying to remember what they are supposed to do for the rest of the day at the same time.
Unfortunately, it’s a simple fact of life that working memory declines as the brain ages, and time isn’t even the only factor that makes it decay faster. Depending on lifestyle and habits, certain individuals could find that they are no longer able to tap into working memory as well as they used to.
Jong Yoon, MD from Stanford University is the lead author of the study. According to him, problems with working memory is particularly apparent among those with neurological problems.
"Deficits in working memory also characterize various neuropsychiatric conditions and are particularly evident in schizophrenia," Yoon said.
One of the ways that working memory decay can be slowed down is maintaining high levels of GABA in the part of the brain called dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This part is incredibly important in allowing humans to plan, organize their tasks, and know what to prioritize.
In related news, GABA is also being considered as a component to help combat depression, Bioworld reports. Current antidepressant drugs contain chemicals that target serotonin in order to achieve balanced in the brain. However, glutamate and GABA also play a huge role in the chemical imbalance that the brains of depressed patients experience. By correcting this imbalance, more effective treatments could be devised.
