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A Neural Model of Memory Impairment in Diffuse Cerebral Atrophy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

James A. Reggia
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

Abstract

Background

Computer-supported neural network models have been subjected to diffuse, progressive deletion of synapses/neurons, to show that modelling cerebral neuropathological changes can predict the pattern of memory degradation in diffuse degenerative processes such as Alzheimer's disease. However, it has been suggested that neural models cannot account for more detailed aspects of memory impairment, such as the relative sparing of remote versus recent memories.

Method

The latter claim is examined from a computational perspective, using a neural associative memory model.

Results

The neural network model not only demonstrates progressive memory deterioration as diffuse network damage occurs, but also exhibits differential sparing of remote versus recent memories.

Conclusions

Our results show that neural models can account for a large variety of experimental phenomena characterising memory degradation in Alzheimer's patients. Specific testable predictions are generated concerning the relation between the neuroanatomical findings and the clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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