Finding drugs that result in memory enhancement is one of the goals of molecular neuroscientists.
Because memory takes time to form, he conjectured that drugs which block the action of these hormones soon after the trauma might decrease the intensity of the memory.
Its effects are mainly neurobehavioral, including poor decision-making, impaired memory, erratic behavior, use of drugs and alcohol, depression and suicide.
Moreover, people who've dedicated their lives to fighting drugs worry about Americans' short memory.
The researchers say it might be possible to use the hormone to develop new drugs to combat impaired learning and memory, but warn that weight gain could be a side effect.
Many companies are hunting for drugs to fend off this sort of memory loss.
One company already putting such drugs through preclinical testing is closely held Memory Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Roche Holding.
The tool could enable clinicians to detect Alzheimer's earlier and more accurately in patients at the earliest sign of memory problems a potential boon to treatment and developing drugs against the disease.
These drugs may help in childhood learning disability, in the memory loss with ageing and even in recovery from brain damage.
Statins, which treat cholesterol, now will come with labels that include a warning that the drugs, taken by almost 32 million Americans, can cause memory loss and confusion.
All three companies are also looking at whether their drugs work in a condition called mild cognitive impairment--mild memory loss that may or may not be a precursor to Alzheimer's or other dementia.
"Date-rape" drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB - a liquid ecstasy - can cause victims to lose their memory.
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The drugs affect a neurotransmitter in the brain called acetylcholine and can cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and memory loss.
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