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Editorial Volume 2 Issue 6
Further Optimizing Memory Assessment Tests: Considering the Neglected Influencing Factors
Abdelaziz Ghanemi1,2,3
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1Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease, Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, China
2Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
3University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Correspondence: Abdelaziz Ghanemi, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.32 Jiaochang Donglu, Kunming 650223, Yunnan Province, China, Tel 0086-15887090734
Received: January 01, 1971 | Published: September 8, 2015
Citation: Ghanemi A (2015) Further Optimizing Memory Assessment Tests: Considering the Neglected Influencing Factors. J Neurol Stroke 2(6): 00071. DOI: 10.15406/jnsk.2015.02.00071
Editorial
Memory assessment is an important part of divers studies in different fields.1-4 Indeed, many diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, testing selected drugs or methodologies require assessment memory-related parameters. Up to now, a number of methods is used in experimental pharmacology/ toxicology and physiology, including Y-maze,5-7 Morris water maze,8-10 functional magnetic resonance imaging,11 to explore different aspects and types of memories in divers context and at different levels.
However, the divers used methods have been described with some limits therefore a need to further optimize and validate the methods toward more accurate results. Herein, we would like to introduce divers several points that can be taken into consideration during the validation/ optimization process. Since not very much is known about the memory process and about the factors that can influence it is highly recommended to avoid or minimize the factor that could have an influence on the memory performance even the elements that might an indirect influence especially when conducting memory assessment tests. This could include light intensity, air pressure, olfactory stimuli, stress and noise.
In addition to such approaches, conducting the same test on similar control groups under similar condition at the same locations and during the same time frame remains also a necessity. Furthermore, it would further improve the memory test optimization if parameters related to memory performance such as selected neurotransmitters are also measures during the memory assessment. Importantly, considering the physiological factors such as brain regions maturity, locomotors, visibility and age is also a key elements while interpreting the tests results and therefore are also to be considered within the optimization process.
Acknowledgments
Abdelaziz Ghanemi is a recipient of a 2013 CAS-TWAS President's Postgraduate Fellowship.
Conflicts of interest
None.
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