Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Alzheimer's Test: Do You Recognize This Person?

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:45 AM CDT

(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 Top 10 Ways the Country Would Be Different if Britney Spears Were President.
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)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Jassy
Aug 27, 2009 12:26 PM CDT
That doesn't even look like Britney. It looks like Rita Rudner in a blonde wig.
jagerhans
Aug 27, 2009 12:07 PM CDT
ditto. what if one is not into gossip.
guasu
Aug 27, 2009 3:24 AM CDT
This is stupid if i avoid media then I'm at risk? The heck I care for some blonde!?! Stupid test! damn it! I hate smart unwise people!

More Newser Stories

Drew—and Lots of Other Celebs— Engaged

Britney to Wed for 3rd Time

Britney Is the Queen of Google+

14 Most Bizarre Celebrity Pregnancy Cravings

Women Dominate the MTV VMAs


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne