Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


10

Alzheimer's Test: Do You Recognize This Person?

Share

(Newser) – If you have trouble remembering who Britney Spears is, there’s some good news and bad news. Good news: You have managed to forget Britney Spears. Bad news: You might be at risk for Alzheimer’s, according to a new study. A team of scientists recently found that people with a high Alzheimer’s risk have to work harder to remember celebrity names.

The team broke their test subjects into groups based on their presumed Alzheimer’s risk, then showed them the names of various celebrities and non-celebrities, while scanning their brains with fMRI. Those who had hereditary or genetic Alzheimer’s risk factors showed high levels of activity in portions of the brain linked to memory when shown famous names like Spears, or Albert Einstein or Marilyn Monroe. The control group’s brain only lit up when shown obscure names.

A doctor looks over a CT scan of a brain in this file photo.
A doctor looks over a CT scan of a brain in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Adele Starr, FILE)
In this image taken from video and provided by CBS, singer Britney Spears presents the
In this image taken from video and provided by CBS, singer Britney Spears presents the "Top 10 Ways the Country Would Be Different if Britney Spears Were President."   (AP Photo/CBS)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
If you've managed to forget this, that might not be so great after all.   (CameronJamalmo457)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
10 comments
VIEWING:
 
donnz
Aug 26, 09 11:10 AM CDT
Have the experts considered, that celebrities misbehaviours, may not be important to people who have priorities, other than who does what to who in the gossip columns? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+11
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Aug 26, 09 11:36 AM CDT
Yeah, I remember when Albert Einstein used to get into trouble tearing up those hotel rooms. What a party animal that guy was.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
IN RESPONSE:
Unaffiliated
Aug 26, 09 11:38 AM CDT
Unfortunately, a majority of the population does take interest in the gossip columns. Chalk it up to human nature, I guess. It's highly unlikely that not knowing Britney Spear's name will end up a litmus test of Alzheimer's. But aside from confirming something we already knew, Alzheimer's affects your ability to remember things, I'm not sure what the use of this experiment was.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Aug 26, 09 12:05 PM CDT
Unaffiliated: the test was on people who do not have Alzheimer's and showed that those who are at risk tested positive - this is fairly significant research
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
TheJoker
Aug 26, 09 2:35 PM CDT
Fox News headline: "Celebrity Worship Prevents Alzheimer's" Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+6

View all 10 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

111 Stories

 Music Prompts 
 Memory in 
 Alzheimer's 
 Patients 

iPod therapy stimulates cognitive functions lost to disease

Nov 17, 09 1:26 PM CST
(Newser) - Therapists and doctors who treat Alzheimer's are now using music not only to soothe and entertain their patients but to restore some cognitive function. For decades it's been recognized that Alzheimer's patients can still remember and sing songs long after they've stopped recognizing names and faces. Now it's thought that... More »

MORE ABOUT:
memory • dementia • iPod • brain • cognitive decline • caregivers • Alzheimer's Disease • musical therapy

OPINION

 Lady Gaga: 'Skank With a Brain' 

Pop's newest explosion exploits our obsession with sexuality, salaciousness

Sep 16, 09 9:57 AM CDT
(Newser) - “Lady Gaga is pretty skanky,” writes James Brady Ryan for Nerve. “That might sound harsh, but there are some facts we all must face: the girl is no fan of pants, for one thing.” She may be crass, outlandish, and over-the-top sexual—but “she is... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • music • Britney Spears • pop music • celebrity • Lady Gaga

SLIDESHOW

 Jackson Tributes 
 Steal Video Awards 

If it weren't for a certain rapper, Michael would have stolen the show

Sep 14, 09 7:32 AM CDT
(Newser) - With the exception of Kanye West's inebriated attack on Taylor Swift, last night’s MTV Video Music Awards were all about Michael Jackson, with longtime friend Madonna and sister Janet delivering moving tributes, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Material Girl introduced the tribute, while Janet performed her half... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • Britney Spears • Janet Jackson • Eminem • celebrity • award show • Video Music Awards • Beyonce • Madonna • Michael Jackson • Rihanna • Beastie Boys • Green Day • Lady Gaga • Taylor Swift • MTV Video Music Awards

111 Stories


Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
Britney Spears • memory • study • celebrity • fMRI • brain scans • Alzheimer's Disease

from our news partners