Local Memory Research Articles

Post-traumatic stress disorder: Cerebral and extracerebral processing of traumatic memories and treatment strategies

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe neuropsychiatric condition characterized by anxiety-related symptoms, including intrusive memories. However, the exact anatomic location of traumatic memories remains unclear. Traumatic imagery may involve the amygdala and posterior cingulate cortex, rather than the hippocampus. Besides the central nervous system, cells and even proteins can process information and store memories. For instance, >36% of cardiac transplant recipients inherit donor personality traits, emphasizing that tissues can store and recall memories. Moreover, physical therapists mention “musculofascial memories,” that is, the ability of muscles and fascia to retain the memory of past injuries and adapt their function accordingly. Immune cells record previous infections, demonstrating the broader perspective of memory storage in the body. At the cellular level, psychological stress induces premature cellular senescence, a survival program characterized by proliferation arrest; resistance to apoptosis; and a toxic secretome known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). SASP contains brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin linked to fear memory that is frequently elevated in the peripheral blood of patients with PTSD. Endothelial cells (ECs), the tiles paving the lumen of large and small vessels, age earlier than other cells in patients with severe mental illness, including PTSD. Senescent ECs release SASP directly into the systemic circulation, spreading senescence throughout the body. In this narrative review, we hypothesize that ECs store traumatic memories and SASP-associated BDNF activates traumatic imagery. We also discuss membrane lipid replacement, mitochondrial transplantation and transfer, and several natural and synthetic compounds that may counteract endothelial senescence and SASP.

Intranasal delivery of a subunit protein vaccine provides protective immunity against JN.1 and XBB-lineage variants.

The mucosal immune response plays a crucial role in the prevention of respiratory viruses. Given the risk of recurrent SARS-CoV-2 infections in the population, the rapid development of next-generation intranasal COVID-19 vaccines with high safety and efficacy is paramount. In the current study, we developed a protein-based intranasal vaccine comprising the XBB.1.5 receptor binding domain (RBD)-derived trimeric recombinant protein (RBDXBB.1.5-HR) and an MF59-like oil-in-water adjuvant. Intranasal administration of RBDXBB.1.5-HR vaccine elicited robust and sustained humoral immune responses in mice and rats, resulting in high levels of neutralizing antibodies against XBB-lineage subvariants, with protection lasting for at least six months. The intranasal RBDXBB.1.5-HR vaccine generated potent mucosal immune responses, characterized by the inductions of tissue-resident T (TRM) cells, local cellular immunity, germinal center, and memory B cell responses in the respiratory tract. The combination of intramuscular and intranasal delivery of the RBDXBB.1.5-HR vaccine demonstrated exceptional systemic and mucosal protective immunity. Furthermore, intranasal delivery of RBDXBB.1.5-HR vaccine as a heterologous booster shot showed more effective boosting effects after mRNA administration compared to homologous vaccination, as evidenced by the induction of superior systemic and extra mucosal immune response. Importantly, the intranasal RBDXBB.1.5-HR vaccine conferred efficient protection against the challenge with authentic EG.5.1 viruses in vivo. These findings identify the intranasal RBDXBB.1.5-HR vaccine as a potential mucosal vaccine candidate for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

MEMORY AND COLOR: CHROMATIC INTERVENTIONS IN THE HISTORICAL LANDSCAPE OF CURITIBA

This article analyzes the contemporary phenomenon of "rejuvenation" in urban landscapes, specifically through chromatic interventions, and its implications for the preservation of historical and cultural values. The study discusses the concern with cultural pasteurization and degradation of historical centers, highlighting that chromatic interventions can result in disordered and questionable landscapes. In addition, the relationship between landscape and memory is addressed, emphasizing the social construction of collective memory. Color, understood as a constitutive element of the landscape, expresses historical and cultural values ​​that connect history and local identity. Focusing on Largo da Ordem in Curitiba, the research reflects on how these interventions impact the symbolic identity of the historical space, questioning the role of a globalized aesthetic in the local cultural context. The methodology involves a bibliographic survey that explores the relationship between landscape, memory and color, analyzing the importance of color in the identity of historical centers. The article concludes that the contemporary desire for rejuvenation has profound implications for the preservation of historical heritage, challenging local identity in a world that values ​​novelty over historical density. The analysis of chromatic interventions in the Curitiba landscape exemplifies the need to balance urban revitalization with the preservation of local memory and cultural identity.

Dissecting immunological mechanisms underlying influenza viral nucleoprotein-induced mucosal immunity against diverse viral strains

ABSTRACT The nucleoprotein (NP) of type A influenza virus (IAV) is highly conserved across all virus strains, making it an attractive candidate antigen for universal vaccines. While various studies have explored NP-induced mucosal immunity, here we interrogated the mechanistic differences between intramuscular (IM) and intranasal (IN) delivery of a recombinant adenovirus carrying NP fused with a bifunctional CD40 ligand. Despite being less effective than IM delivery in inducing systemic cellular immune responses and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), IN immunization elicited superior antigen-specific recall humoral and cellular response in the nasal associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) of the upper respiratory tract, the initial site of immune recognition and elimination of inhaled pathogens. IN vaccination also induced significantly stronger pulmonary T cell responses in the lower respiratory tract than IM vaccination, in particular the CD8 T cells. Moreover, blocking lymphocyte circulation abrogated IM but not IN immunization induced protection, illustrating the critical role of local memory immune response upon viral infection. Notably, the CD40-targeted nasal delivery not only improved the magnitude but also the breadth of protection, including against lethal challenge with a newly isolated highly pathogenic avian H5N1 strain. These findings are informative for the design of universal mucosal vaccines, where the predominant mode of protection is independent of neutralizing antibodies.

Projection-specific circuits of retrosplenial cortex with differential contributions to spatial cognition.

Retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is a brain region involved in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. It has reciprocal connections with a diverse set of cortical and subcortical brain regions, but the afferent structure and behavioral function of circuits defined by its projection-specific sub-populations have yet to be determined. The corticocortical connections between RSC and secondary motor cortex (M2), as well as corticothalamic connections between RSC and anterodorsal thalamus (AD) have been hypothesized to function as semi-independent, but parallel pathways that impact spatial information processing in distinct ways. We used retrograde and anterograde viral tracers and monosynaptic retrograde rabies virus to quantitatively characterize and compare the afferent and efferent distributions of retrosplenial neuron sub-populations projecting to M2 and AD. AD-projecting and M2-projecting RSC neurons overlap in their collateral projections to other brain regions, but not in their projections to M2 and AD, respectively. Compared with AD-projecting RSC neurons, M2-projecting RSC neurons received much greater afferent input from the dorsal subiculum, AD, lateral dorsal and lateral posterior thalamus, and somatosensory cortex. AD-projecting RSC neurons received greater input from the anterior cingulate cortex and medial septum. We performed chemogenetic inhibition of M2- and AD-projecting RSC neurons and examined its impact on object-location memory, object-recognition, open-field exploration, and place-action association. Our findings indicate that inhibition of M2-projecting RSC neurons impairs object location memory as well as place-action association, while the RSC to AD pathway impacts only object-location memory. The findings indicate that RSC is composed of semi-independent circuits distinguishable by their afferent/efferent distributions and differing in the cognitive functions to which they contribute.

Exploration-based learning of a stabilizing controller predicts locomotor adaptation

Humans adapt their locomotion seamlessly in response to changes in the body or the environment. It is unclear how such adaptation improves performance measures like energy consumption or symmetry while avoiding falling. Here, we model locomotor adaptation as interactions between a stabilizing controller that reacts quickly to perturbations and a reinforcement learner that gradually improves the controller’s performance through local exploration and memory. This model predicts time-varying adaptation in many settings: walking on a split-belt treadmill (i.e. with both feet at different speeds), with asymmetric leg weights, or using exoskeletons — capturing learning and generalization phenomena in ten prior experiments and two model-guided experiments conducted here. The performance measure of energy minimization with a minor cost for asymmetry captures a broad range of phenomena and can act alongside other mechanisms such as reducing sensory prediction error. Such a model-based understanding of adaptation can guide rehabilitation and wearable robot control.

Repeated social defeat in male mice induced unique RNA profiles in projection neurons from the amygdala to the hippocampus

Chronic stress increases the incidence of psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Repeated Social Defeat (RSD) in mice recapitulates several key physiological, immune, and behavioral changes evident after chronic stress in humans. For instance, neurons in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus are involved in the interpretation of and response to fear and threatful stimuli after RSD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how stress influenced the RNA profile of hippocampal neurons and neurons that project into the hippocampus from threat appraisal centers. Here, RSD increased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and reduced hippocampal-dependent novel object location memory in male mice. Next, pan-neuronal (Baf53b-Cre) RiboTag mice were generated to capture ribosomal bound mRNA (i.e., active translation) activated by RSD in the hippocampus. RNAseq revealed that there were 1,694 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hippocampal neurons after RSD. These DEGs were associated with an increase in oxidative stress, synaptic long-term potentiation, and neuroinflammatory signaling. To further examine region-specific neural circuitry associated with fear and anxiety, a retrograde-adeno-associated-virus (AAV2rg) expressing Cre-recombinase was injected into the hippocampus of male RiboTag mice. This induced expression of a hemagglutinin epitope in neurons that project into the hippocampus. These AAV2rg-RiboTag mice were subjected to RSD and ribosomal-bound mRNA was collected from the amygdala for RNA-sequencing. RSD induced 677 DEGs from amygdala projections. Amygdala neurons that project into the hippocampus had RNA profiles associated with increased synaptogenesis, interleukin-1 signaling, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species production. Using a similar approach, there were 1,132 DEGs in neurons that project from the prefrontal cortex. These prefrontal cortex neurons had RNA profiles associated with increased synaptogenesis, integrin signaling, and dopamine feedback signaling after RSD. Collectively, there were unique RNA profiles of stress-influenced projection neurons and these profiles were associated with hippocampal-dependent behavioral and cognitive deficits.

A circuit model for transsaccadic space updating and mislocalization.

We perceive a stable, continuous world despite drastic changes of retinal images across saccades. However, while persistent objects in daily life appear stable across saccades, stimuli flashed around saccades can be grossly mislocalized. We address this puzzle with our recently proposed circuit model for perisaccadic receptive-field (RF) remapping in LIP and FEF. The model uses center/surround connections to store a relevant stimulus' retinal location in memory as a population activity. This activity profile is updated across each saccade by directional connections gated by the corollary discharge (CD) of the saccade command. The updating is a continuous backward (against the saccade) shift of the population activity (equivalent to continuous forward remapping of the RFs), whose cumulative effect across the saccade is a subtraction of the saccade vector. The model explains forward and backward translational mislocalization for stimuli flashed around the saccade onset and offset, respectively, as insufficient and unnecessary cumulative updating after the saccade, caused by the sluggish CD time course and visual response latency. We confirm the model prediction that for perisaccadic RFs measured with flashes before the saccades, the final forward remapping magnitudes after the saccades are smaller for later flashes. We discuss the possibility that compressive mislocalization results from a brief reduction of attentional remapping and repulsion. Although many models of RF remapping, transsaccadic updating, and perisaccadic mislocalization have been proposed, our work unifies them into a single circuit mechanism and suggests that the brain uses "unaware" decoders which do not distinguish between different origins of neurons' activities.

Oral history methods can reveal drivers of landscape transformation: Understanding land‐use legacies with local and traditional knowledge in Central Europe

Abstract Ecosystems and landscapes shaped by the intricate relationship between people and their natural environment embody the impact of many different past land‐use practices and historical events. However, in some regions, classical historical records of landscape change do not exist or are insufficiently detailed. Local communities' ecological memory can play an important role in filling this gap by reconstructing the socio‐ecologically relevant indirect drivers and their interactions, as well as identifying vegetation characteristics that are legacies of previous land‐use practices. We studied a rapidly transforming cultural landscape in Transylvania (Romania) by conducting 144 oral history interviews covering the last 70 years (before, during and after collective farming). The interviews revealed complex interactions of indirect drivers. Country‐scale political and economic changes affected the landscape with crop outflow during the collective system (1962–1989), resulting in labour outflow to cities from the 1960s. The latter reduced the time and attention devoted to haymaking and affected population ageing. Together with other drivers, this demographic change led to a major transformation of the traditional landscape by the 2010s. We identified 47 vegetation characteristics as land‐use legacies related to grasslands and classified them into general legacy types. Our results support that there was an opportunity to innovatively revive the traditional cultural landscape after the fall of communism, when local knowledge, and willingness to manage the landscape were still present, but financial assets and government support were lacking. The indirect driver interactions led to the abandonment of traditional hay meadow management, resulting in a homogenising landscape with simplified land use dominated by sheep grazing and increasingly dependent on agricultural subsidies. We found that many vegetation characteristics of the studied species‐rich grasslands are only legacies of former land‐use activities, still known by locals but no longer applied. By creating knowledge partnerships, we can still learn about the past management and the functioning of such biodiversity‐rich cultural landscapes from the people who actively maintained them. We argue that this type of knowledge is essential to revive and adapt practices for protecting and managing species‐rich habitats across European cultural landscapes and for supporting the planning of appropriate conservation management and subsidy schemes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The hippocampal CA2 region discriminates social threat from social safety.

The dorsal cornu ammonis 2 (dCA2) region of the hippocampus enables the discrimination of novel from familiar conspecifics. However, the neural bases for more complex social-spatial episodic memories are unknown. Here we report that the spatial and social contents of an aversive social experience require distinct hippocampal regions. While dorsal CA1 (dCA1) pyramidal neurons mediate the memory of an aversive location, dCA2 pyramidal neurons enable the discrimination of threat-associated (CS+) from safety-associated (CS-) conspecifics in both female and male mice. Silencing dCA2 during encoding or recall trials disrupted social fear discrimination memory, resulting in fear responses toward both the CS+ and CS- mice. Calcium imaging revealed that the aversive experience strengthened and stabilized dCA2 representations of both the CS+ and CS- mice, with the incorporation of an abstract representation of social valence into representations of social identity. Thus, dCA2 contributes to both social novelty detection and the adaptive discrimination of threat-associated from safety-associated individuals during an aversive social episodic experience.

Cultural Streetscape: Its Value-System, Space and Significance in Oyo Town, Nigeria

Cultural streetscape is a remarkable street scene that embodies the local culture. It helps in defining and defending urban forms, improves the physical, economic, and socio-cultural mechanisms of urban streets, provides street views for buildings, and shares communal activities and identities. Streetscape is a significant and multi-dynamic component of urban design that contributes to the success of cities and towns. However, as a result of constant urbanization and neglect, African streets that were previously sites of different cultural expressions and local beliefs are quickly turning into areas devoid of local values and meaning. More so, the significance of a cultural streetscape that facilitates ingenious street views, solves ecological challenges, and retains the local memory of places is becoming scarce in the literature. Through an in-depth interview, analysis of pertinent academic outputs, and firsthand observation of the core residential areas of Oyo town, this study revealed the value and significance of cultural streetscape in building, shaping, preserving and sustaining local place identity. Proper archiving and infusion of cultural streetscape elements into the old and new streets design are necessary to ensure Yoruba place identity does not completely become void.

Minocycline prevents early age-related cognitive decline in a mouse model of intellectual disability caused by ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency

Haploinsufficiency of the transcriptional repressor ZBTB18/RP58 is associated with intellectual disability. However, the mechanisms causing this disability are unknown, and preventative measures and treatments are not available. Here, we assessed multiple behaviors in Zbtb18/Rp58 heterozygous-knockout mice, and examined local field potentials, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial morphology, and performed histochemical and transcriptome analyses in the hippocampus to evaluate chronic inflammation. In wild-type mice, object location memory was present at a similar level at 2 and 4–5 months of age, and became impaired at 12–18 months. In contrast, Zbtb18/Rp58 heterozygous-knockout mice displayed early onset impairments in object location memory by 4–5 months of age. These mice also exhibited earlier accumulation of DNA and mitochondrial damage, and activated microglia in the dentate gyrus, which are associated with defective DNA repair. Notably, chronic minocycline therapy, which has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, attenuated age-related phenotypes, including accumulation of DNA damage, increased microglial activation, and impairment of object location memory. Our results suggest that Zbtb18/Rp58 activity is required for DNA repair and its reduction results in DNA and mitochondrial damage, increased activation of microglia, and inflammation, leading to accelerated declines in cognitive functions. Minocycline has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency-associated cognitive dysfunction.

Crucial role of Snf7-3 in synaptic function and cognitive behavior revealed by conventional and conditional knockout mouse models

Snf7-3 is a crucial component of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) pathway, playing a vital role in endolysosomal functions. To elucidate the role of Snf7-3 in vivo, we developed conventional-like and conditional Snf7-3 knockout (KO) mouse models using a “Knockout-first” strategy. Conventional-like Snf7-3 KO mice showed significantly reduced Snf7-3 mRNA expression, and older mice (25–40 weeks) exhibited impaired social recognition and increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Similarly, conditional KO mice aged 8–24 weeks, with Snf7-3 specifically deleted in forebrain excitatory neurons, displayed impaired object location memory and elevated mEPSC frequency. Consistently, Snf7-3 knockdown in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons led to increased densities of pre- and postsynaptic puncta, supporting the observed increase in mEPSC frequency. In addition, enhanced dendritic complexity was observed in the medial prefrontal cortex of these mice, indicating early synaptic disturbances. Our findings underscore the critical role of Snf7-3 in maintaining normal cognitive functions and social behaviors. The observed synaptic and behavioral deficits in both conventional-like and conditional KO mice highlight the importance of Snf7-3 in specific neuronal populations, suggesting that early synaptic changes could precede more pronounced cognitive impairments.

The Eye and Nose Identification Chip Controller-Based on Robot Vision Using Weightless Neural Network Method

Increasingly advanced image analysis in computer vision, allowing computers to interpret, identify, and analyze pictures with accuracy comparable to humans. The availability of data sources in decimal, hexadecimal, or binary forms enables researchers to take the initiative in applying their study findings. Decimal formats are typically used on traditional computers like desktops and minicomputers, whereas hexadecimal and binary formats were utilized on single-chip controllers. Weightless Neural Network is a method that can be implemented in a single chip controller. The aim of this research is to develop a facial recognition system, for eye and mouth identification, that works in a single chip controller or also called a microcontroller. The suggested method is a Weightless Neural Network with Immediate Scan approach for processing and identifying eye and nose patterns. The data will be handled in many memory locations that are specifically designed to handle massive volumes of data. The data is made up of primary face data sheets and face input data. The data sets utilized are (x,y) pixels, and frame sizes range from 90x90 pixels to 110x110 pixels. Each face shot will be processed by selecting the region of the eyes and nose and saving it as an image file. The eye and nose will identify the face frame. Next, the photos will be converted to binary format. A magazine matrix will be used to transmit binary data from a minicomputer to a microcontroller via serial connection. Based on a known pattern, the resultant similarity accuracy is 83,08% for the eye and 84,09% for the sternum. In contrast, the similarity percentage for an eye ranges from 70% to 85% for an undefined pattern.

Dysregulating mTORC1-4E-BP2 signaling in GABAergic interneurons impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory.

Memory formation is contingent on molecular and structural changes in neurons in response to learning stimuli-a process known as neuronal plasticity. The initiation step of mRNA translation is a gatekeeper of long-term memory by controlling the production of plasticity-related proteins in the brain. The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) controls mRNA translation, mainly through phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding proteins (4E-BPs) and ribosomal protein S6 kinases (S6Ks). mTORC1 signaling decreases throughout brain development, starting from the early postnatal period. Here, we discovered that in mice, the age-dependent decrease in mTORC1 signaling occurs selectively in excitatory but not inhibitory neurons. Using a gene conditional knockout (cKO) strategy, we demonstrate that either up- or downregulating the mTORC1-4E-BP2 axis in GAD65 inhibitory interneurons, but not excitatory neurons, results in long-term object recognition and object location memory deficits. Our data indicate that the mTORC1 pathway in inhibitory but not excitatory neurons plays a key role in memory formation.

Natural- and redirected walking in virtual reality: Spatial performance and user experience

AbstractImmersive virtual reality offers a range of unique possibilities. One of these is the realistic exploration of virtual worlds using natural walking. This however becomes difficult when the size of the virtual world exceeds that of the available physical space. Redirected walking in virtual reality presents a novel solution to this problem by typically making its users think to be walking in a straight line while they are in fact walking in a curve, thus allowing them to physically walk long distances in confined physical spaces. Yet, few studies have examined the effects of redirected walking on variables such as spatial memory, navigation and user experience as compared to other immersive and non-immersive locomotion methods. In a maze task we examined 1) redirected- and 2) natural walking in immersive virtual reality conditions, and 3) artificial locomotion on a non-immersive desktop monitor. Walked path lengths became shorter and distance estimates, object location memory and user experience improved using natural walking compared to a monitor condition. However, redirected walking yielded similar performance to natural walking while requiring less physical space, opening up possibilities for more pervasive use of real locomotion in virtual environments.

Optimising Emergency Care for Older Adults: A Case Study of the EDITH Service Following a Proximal Humerus Fracture

Abstract Background The Emergency Department in the Home (EDITH) service offers emergency Occupational Therapy and medical assessments to older adults at home, thus negating the need for hospital attendances. Mr X, an 86-year-old with vascular dementia and hypertension, sustained a left proximal humerus fracture from a fall. Following assessment in the ED, Mr X was deemed fit for discharge and was referred to EDITH for an acute functional assessment and clinical review. Methods Within 72 hours of discharge, Mr X was visited at home by an Occupational Therapist (OT) and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP). The OT conducted a home environment assessment, falls-risk screening, delirium screening, reviewed social supports, and performed a functional assessment. Education on one-handed dressing techniques and falls prevention was provided. The ANP conducted a clinical review, and reviewed Mr X’s medication and analgesia. Mr X had the support of his wife to assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), functional mobility and medication management. Mr X’s son purchased assistive equipment recommended by the OT, to enhance home safety. Referrals were made to the local memory support service, a Physiotherapist, and his Public Health Nurse to organise formal care supports. Results Mr X remained at home with support from his wife, primary care services, and virtual EDITH follow-up. Mr X had a scheduled review at the fracture clinic following his ED attendance. Conclusion Emergency care practitioners play a crucial role in addressing acute functional and clinical changes in older adults attending the ED. Supported ED discharges and service integration during the acute phase can prevent hospital admissions. Collaboration between emergency medicine and primary care is essential for addressing acute medical needs and long-term functional outcomes. With adequate social support and timely services, older adults can recover successfully at home.

Outcomes of Dementia Pathway Referrals Post Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment by a Community Specialist Team for Older Persons

Abstract Background The Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland (2023) outlines targets and recommendations for a Dementia service. A Dementia pathway was developed from a Community Specialist Team (CST) for Older Persons service to a local Memory Clinic service and this was evaluated with reference to the model of care. Methods All adults aged ≥70 years, who received a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) by a CST in 2022, and were referred to a Memory Clinic service, were included. Data including dates of referral and Memory Clinic attendance, age, gender, Clinical Frailty Scale score (CFS) and diagnosis were entered into Excel. These were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Seventy-nine patients were referred to the Memory Clinic. Twenty-eight (35.5%) attended, with 51 (64.5%) non-attendances. Twenty-seven (34%) cancelled, 13 (16.5%) did not attend, 7 (9%) died before receiving an appointment, and 4 (5%) appointments were deferred at patient request. The mean age of patients referred was 82.39 years (SD=6.876). The male to female ratio of attendees was 1:1.3 and non-attendees was 1:1.9. The median CFS score of both attendees and non-attended was 5 (range 3-7). Eight (21%) of those who did not attend had moved to long term care, representing 10% of total referrals. The median waiting time for attendees was 10.5 months (Range 2-21). Thirteen (46%) patients received a diagnosis of Dementia, 3 (11%) Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), 2 (7%) Acquired Brain Injury and 10 (36%) received no memory diagnosis. Conclusion This Dementia pathway does not meet target 14 of the Model of Care. The waiting times exceed 6 weeks, resulting in missed opportunities to provide supports. Timely access to the pathway and supports to attend may increase attendance. A dedicated Memory Assessment and Support Service will address this deficit.

The Development of the Mental Timeline is Related to Temporal Memory

ABSTRACT Although we cannot see or touch time, across many cultures, we use spatial representations to think about this abstract concept. Spatial representations of time are thought to support temporal concepts that might otherwise be difficult to represent and reason about, such as the temporal component of episodic memory. One common form of spatially representing time is the mental timeline, which is a linear projection of time onto space. Adults and older children from many cultures spontaneously activate the mental timeline when remembering the order of events. However, the mental timeline develops slowly throughout early childhood as children gain increasing experience with formal schooling and cultural artifacts. Here, we explored how individual differences in the development of American children’s mental timelines relate to their memory for temporal order (N = 96, M age = 6.22 years). We first tested children’s memory for the order and location of events through a memory task involving short videos. We then tested children’s spontaneous spatial representations of temporal order using an open-ended timeline construction task. The linearity of children’s timeline arrangements predicted their memory for temporal order but not memory for locations: children who spontaneously represented time linearly had significantly better temporal memory performance than children who represented time nonlinearly, but there was no difference in location memory performance. These data provide preliminary evidence that the development of the mental timeline may support the development of temporal memory.

Идеология, топонимия, политика памяти: история переименований в странах Балтии

The article presents an analysis of the toponymy of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in historical retrospect and the relationship with local memory politics. The practice of changing geographical names was carried out and continues to be carried out in line with the Baltic historical policy and such fundamental components as ethnocentrism, the fight against the consequences of “Soviet occupation” and decommunization. At the same time, toponymy was transformed most uniformly and consistently in Estonia and Latvia, due to similar historical development. The dynamics of changes in Lithuanian geographical objects are more specific due to the experience of their own statehood in the person of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as well as changes in borders in 1939.