Supporting consolidation of recent memories in MCI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting consolidation of recent memories in mild cognitive impairment
IRAS ID
238667
Contact name
Ali Mair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 2 days
Research summary
Memory impairments in dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) typically begin with difficulty recalling events that took place recently, as opposed to longer ago. However, there have been few attempts to develop interventions to support recent event memory in this population. A small number of studies have suggested that wearable cameras may be effective in supporting recent memory in people with amnesia (Berry et al., 2007; Loveday & Conway, 2011) and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (Woodberry et al., 2015), yet little is understood about exactly how these devices provide support, and consequently whether the level of support can be improved, or the efficiency increased. This study will investigate the process of memory consolidation in people with mild cognitive impairment and healthy controls, with the help of external memory aids derived from material captured by wearable cameras. Memory consolidation is the process by which new memories become strengthened over time, and is essential for successful remembering. In this study we aim to support memory consolidation through practice recalling events, using (a) still images and (b) video clips captured by a wearable camera, and (c) written event descriptions, as memory aids. The aims are firstly to determine whether or not such external aids can objectively support memory (i.e. how much detail the individual can recall), and secondly to investigate differences in memories supported by strategies (a), (b), and (c). The findings from this study will inform the development of better memory support systems for people with mild cognitive impairment.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EM/0104
Date of REC Opinion
16 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion