UEA launch new project to investigate how our memories change as we age
Researchers are looking for 160 people to take part in a variety of studies for this
The UEA is looking for 160 people to help them learn more about how our memories change as we age.
Researchers will study people's recollections of personal events, as well as how individuals genetics can influence how we remember the past.
Dr Louis Renoult, from the University's School of Psychology is leading this, he told us the topic's always fascinated him: "I got interested in memory quite earlier on, especially by the fact that there are different types of memories in humans.
"I also got interested by the need to better understand the differences and similarities between memories and how the brain can support these different types. More recently I got interested in aging and how memories change over-time, as we age".
He explains what they'll be doing and looking for: "We are comparing different types of memories in young and older adults and we are trying to find markers at the psychological levels that can differentiate people's risk of getting the Alzheimer's disease"
He says this study will be very useful, but admits the work doesn't stop there: "With that kind of sample size we can a good idea of the mechanisms at play and differences in memories in young and older adults in relation to dementia.
"As a follow up, we hope to do even larger studies and there are plans for that".
He concluded by saying the findings of all this, could be very significant: "There are many different ways it could be useful, just at least in terms of our basic understanding of how our memories change over-time.
"But hopefully, it will also be useful to differentiate early on the people at risk from different memory impairments. That's my hope at least".
The team are looking for participants aged between 18 and 35, or over 60, who are right-handed, English native speakers and who have no diagnosed psychiatric or neurological conditions.
Participants may be invited to participate in one or multiple studies as part of the broader project and will be compensated for their time.
Dr Renoult said: “We’ll contact interested participants with full details of each study when they are due to begin, and you can decide if you wish to take part at that time. But ideally we’re looking for participants who are interested in taking part in several of the studies.”