May 14, 2011

Afraid of losing your memory as you grow older? Reducing stress may help preserve it, according to the results of a study at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Published in the March 16, 2011 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, the study helps explain the processes behind regular stress and its impairment of memory in older brains.

The researchers studied the impact of cortisol on two different types of receptors in the brain. Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands when the fight-or-flight response is activated and the body prepares for immediate action. Low levels of cortisol had a positive effect on memory when received by one type of receptor, but in large doses, the cortisol overflowed into the second type of receptor and subsequently limited memory function.

“While we know that stress hormones affect memory, this research explains how the receptors [that the hormones] engage with can switch good memory to poorly functioning memory in old age.” said Dr Joyce Yau of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre of Cardiovascular Science in a University of Edinburgh release.

The researchers found that aged mice had difficulty remembering how to navigate a maze when cortisol levels where high, but when the second (bad memory) receptor was blocked, memory was not impacted.

According to the release, the researchers are currently investigating a new chemical compound that will block the enzyme 11beta-HSD1, which is involved in cortisol production.

Although not a conclusion of the study, the research may partially explain why mindfulness meditation has been successful in increasing cognitive ability during stressful situations, and may also increase the value of relaxation therapies such as reiki.

Source: University of Edinburgh

Study: Yau, Joyce L. W. et al. “11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Deficiency Prevents Memory Deficits with Aging by Switching from Glucocorticoid Receptor to Mineralocorticoid Receptor-Mediated Cognitive Control” The Journal of Neuroscience, 16 March 2011, 31(11): 4188-4193; doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6145-10.2011.

Dave Gorczynski is president of SPARK, a non-profit organization that has provided free energy work sessions and workshops across New York City since 2002. He writes a regular column about energy work and meditation for the Compact News in New York City's Chinatown. E-mail him at dave@sparkenergy.org.