PALATINATE | Thursday 4th March 2021
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Science and Technology
Promising Alzheimer’s discovery made by Durham psychologists Phoebe Abruzzese Durham University psychologists have discovered a new variety of GPS-like brain cells, which further our understanding of spatial memory. The newly discovered vector trace cells store distance and direction data in memory, forming a map of our environment and storing it away to use when necessary. These vector trace cells may also be implicated in the progression of some types of dementia, like Alzheimer’s, as damage to them could cause memory loss regarding the locations of items. I sat down for a chat about their research with Dr Steven Poulter and Dr Colin Lever of Durham’s Department of Psychology. “We’ve been interested in an understudied area of the brain called the subiculum, which is part of the hippocampal formation network, and may be the first to depreciate with the onset of Alzheimer’s,” Dr Poulter explained. “Looking at this area in rodents, we found cells that seem to code for where objects were. “Using electrodes in the brains of rodents, we looked for voltage changes in single cells,” he continued. “Thus, we can identify what certain cells code for, using this to establish which part of the brain make memory schemas the relative location of objects within an environment.” Dr Lever went on to say that one of the first signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s is the inability to remember where objects are located. This may materialise in losing everyday items, forgetting where your glasses are, or where you set your cup of tea down. Dr Lever added, “the subiculum
(Amber Conway)
does show normal ageing, as does every region in the hippocampus. The hippocampus reaches peak volume at 14, but then declines from there, getting smaller as you get older. However, in Alzheimer’s, cells seem to degenerate there at a faster rate, compared with normal ageing.” Specifically, the normal ageing process is sped up in Alzheimer’s by the presence of beta-amyloid plaques. These are balls of built-up protein that disrupt normal cell function, so if they’re present in the newly discovered vector trace cells, retrieval of information regarding objects, locations and landmarks may be disrupted. Despite this particular study focusing on the subiculum of rodents, Dr Poulter reassured me that this brain region is preserved across many species – from bats and rats to humans – with similar physiological make up, meaning it is highly likely that vector trace cells will be found in our brains as well. This itself lends credence to the idea that damage to vector trace cells is responsible for faulty memory, and memory disorders, found in the elderly. Whilst discussing the impacts their discovery could have on the medical and psychiatric fields, Dr Lever explained that “specific spatial memory tests could be developed based on this finding. Looking at remembering locations of objects through virtual reality, which may take only 20 minutes in a GP office, would make it an accessible and easy first step in dementia diagnosis for people across the UK, before more expensive brain imaging and memory testing. This might be available in doctors surgeries within ten years.
Dr Poulter and Dr Lever are Assistant and Associate Prof. at the Department of Psychology, respectively (Anna Pycock)
“Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is more about trying to find early markers, like the degradation of vector trace cells, so doctors can then focus on preventing further damage and degradation,” adds Dr Poulter. “The current method of Alzheimer’s diagnosis is rather coarse, mainly revolving around autobiographical questions like
‘what did you have for breakfast?’, so observing these cells might provide a way to diagnose Alzheimer’s in patients who are in the early stages of the disease, and still only displaying subtle symptomology.” Not only did this discovery cause ripples in healthcare and psychology, but also excited GOT AN IDEA FOR AN ARTICLE? WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! SciTech is looking for writers! We reject the idea that science equates to numbers and equations. This year, we have expanded our coverage to include climate change, health, and psychology. We also aim to shine a spotlight on notable women scientists within the Durham community. The quality and range of writing produced by this section meant we were last year nominated for “Best
scientists interested in artificial intelligence. As Dr Poulter says, their aim is to replicate the brain, so knowing a little bit more about its neuronal make-up, such as the presence of vector trace cells and how they work, allows them to more accurately formulate spatial information into memories and store these schemas. Science Publication or Section” by the SPA, the UK’s largest student media association. Any student at Durham University can write for Palatinate. We want to hear from you, whether you have written for us before or not; whether you know one of the editors or not; whether you think you’re a writer or not. Email: scitech@palatinate.org.uk
