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<\/a>into memory storage \u2013 have been identified in AD patients. However, most of us would probably associate the vague term \u201cmemory loss\u201d with long-term memory (LTM) \u2013 the brain\u2019s storage system for permanent, lifetime memories. The memories stored within LTM can be broken down into distinct types, all of which can be affected by AD: procedural, semantic, and episodic memories. Procedural memories essentially involve instructions for common, frequently performed tasks. For instance, after finally mastering the task of riding a bike, we no longer have to actively recall the steps involved. Instead, we automatically run through the motions without much conscious effort. Semantic memory, on the other hand, involves what is essentially our long-term storage of more general knowledge \u2013 for example, the \u201crandom\u201d facts that you can recall in order to answer Jeopardy questions.<\/p>\nIf you want to \u201ctake a trip down memory lane,\u201d however, it will surely involve the use of episodic memory. Episodic memories involve specific, past personal events and experiences that in some cases incorporate distinct, emotional content; such prominent memories \u2013 referred to as autobiographical memories \u2013 allow for a sort of mental time travel experience upon their retrieval. For instance, hearing a long-lost, overplayed middle school dance song (\u201cI Don\u2019t Want to Miss a Thing\u201d by Aerosmith, anyone?) sends you back to 2006 in a whirlwind of memories, dropping you on the dance floor and into the awkwardly outstretched arms of your first crush.<\/p>\n
Apart from reminding us of good and\/or uncomfortable times past, a variety of functions for autobiographical memories have been theorized. For instance, drawing on our autobiographical memories allows us to reflect on previous experiences in order to solve problems and make wise decisions; furthermore, it allows for the maintenance of a \u201cbiographical identity\u201d in that \u2013 by reminiscing on the past experiences that shaped our lives \u2013 we can track our personal development over time that contributes to our current sense of self (Bluck et al., 2005). Thus, although losses in other areas of memory are undoubtedly devastating, the extreme value of our autobiographical memories in the maintenance of our personal identity makes their loss particularly crippling. With no known cure for AD, much research is focused on enhancing the quality of life for its victims; given the critical importance of memory to our quality of life, its enhancement is thus the focus of much of this attention.<\/p>\n
While many different approaches are showing promise, perhaps one of the most intriguing focuses on the potential role of music in the enhancement of memory in AD patients. The effects of music exposure on autobiographical memory has shown evidence of enhancement in several studies (to read an\u00a0interesting and informative post regarding Alzheimer’s and music, click\u00a0here<\/a>), and the reasoning behind this success has generally been attributed to the stress-relieving, mood-boosting qualities of music (to watch a moving video showing the \u201cpower of music\u201d on the functioning of an Alzheimer\u2019s patient, click here<\/a>); however, Haj et al. (2012) set out to investigate in-depth the underlying memory processes that could explain the positive effects of music. In particular, the authors wanted to investigate\u00a0what they saw to be the \u201cinvoluntary nature\u201d of music-evoked autobiographical memories.<\/p>\n Involuntary memories are those that are brought into conscious awareness without effort and in response to some form of perceptual cue. For example, perhaps you\u2019re eating a piece of particularly good chocolate cake in the dining hall when you are reminded of your 10th<\/sup> birthday party. Furthermore, these involuntary memories are considered more specific, and their retrieval is thought to be considerably faster and more emotional than voluntary \u2013 or effortful \u2013 memories. Thus, Haj et al. (2012) believe music to act as an important cue for the involuntary retrieval of autobiographical memories which \u2013 being more specific, automatic, and emotional \u2013has important implications for memory enhancement in AD patients.<\/p>\n In order to analyze the nature of autobiographical memory recall, Haj et el. (2012) asked two groups \u2013 clinically-diagnosed AD patients and older, non-memory impaired adults \u2013 a simple question: \u201crecount in detail an event in your life.\u201d However, participants were tested in one of two conditions; after performing a series of tasks looking into their executive functioning (essentially, one\u2019s ability to manage cognitive processes such as attention, memory, multi-tasking, etc.), some participants listened to music of their choice, while the rest sat in silence for the same duration as the music condition. The specificity of their autobiographical recalls was assessed using the TEMPau test \u2013 a widely used measure that utilizes a point system in the scoring of memory specificity. The scale of memory specificity runs from 0 (absence of any memory recall) to 4 (recall of a specific event including details of time, space, and perceptual\/sensory details), and the recalled memories were scored without the rater knowing which condition the participant was in so as to avoid any effect of bias on the results. For example, if a participant recalled a detailed childhood memory in which they remember water skiing on their favorite lake at the age of 8, yet they don\u2019t mention any specific perceptual\/emotional details (e.g. \u201cI was terrified\u201d or \u201cmy hands hurt trying to hold on\u201d), their memory would receive a score of 3 on the TEMPau scale. In addition, participants were asked to rate the emotional content of their memory as well as their current mood immediately after recall.<\/p>\n Results from this study strongly support the authors\u2019 understanding of music-evoked autobiographical memories as being involuntary in nature. For instance, music-evoked memories were found to be more specific, retrieved more quickly, and were associated with greater emotional content than those retrieved in the silent condition \u2013 all characteristics of involuntary memories. Additionally, these music-evoked memories had a greater, positive impact on mood than those produced in the silent condition. So what does this all mean for the AD patient? How can these involuntary autobiographical memories possibly be of any benefit?<\/p>\n As discussed earlier, our autobiographical memories play a crucial role in providing us with our sense of self. However, AD slowly robs its victims of the ability to voluntarily recall even the most salient memories, thus facilitating the deterioration of their sense of identity. Studies such as Haj et al. (2012) \u2013 although certainly not proposing any solutions to this crisis \u2013 provide for a better understanding of the underlying memory processes affected and offer potential, practical methods for enhancing quality of life for the AD patient.<\/p>\n Thus, although we may not be able to stop AD from committing its atrocious crimes, we can at least strive to lessen the effects and preserve as much of a victim’s identity as possible. As simple as it may be, listening to music may help immensely in this endeavor. While\u00a0AD patients may have been robbed of their ability to take a trip down memory lane, music may provide\u00a0them with the\u00a0temporary yet substantial gift of comfort in the form of autobiographical memory.<\/p>\n To read the full Haj et al. (2012) study, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To read an\u00a0interesting and informative post regarding Alzheimer’s and music, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bluck, S., Alea, N., Habermas, T., & Rubin, D.C. (2005). A tale of three functions: The<\/p>\n self-reported uses of autobiographical memory.\u00a0Social Cognition, 23,<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>91-117.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haj, M.E., Fasotti, L., & Allain, P. (2012). The involuntary nature of music-evoked<\/p>\n autobiographical memories in Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u00a0Consciousness and Cognition, 21,<\/em>\u00a0238-246.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alzheimer\u2019s Association (2015). 2015 Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Facts and Figures<\/em>. Retrieved<\/p>\n from\u00a0http:\/\/www.alz.org\/facts\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Images<\/strong><\/p>\n Types of memory sign<\/a>. Retrieved November 22, 2015.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n