Alzheimer's patients may have their concealed memories unveiled through unparalleled eye-tracking techniques, according to a recent study.
A groundbreaking study, published in Communications Psychology, is challenging the traditional methods of memory assessment. Led by Dr. Deborah Hannula and her team at the University of California, Davis, this innovative research is proving that tracking a person's eye movements can provide a more accurate measure of memory than directly asking them what they remember.
The study, conducted in collaboration with Tel Aviv University and Ichilov Hospital, utilises special animated videos with surprising events to track participants' eye movements. According to the study's author, Dr. Flavio Schmidig, this method is a highly sensitive and effective alternative to asking someone what they remember.
Prof. Yuval Nir, the study's supervisor, stated that gaze direction can be simply detected by the camera of a laptop or smartphone as the subject views a video. This technology could be implemented on something as simple as a laptop or a smartphone camera, making it accessible for widespread use.
The study proves that eye movements can detect a memory that's there, even if the person isn't consciously aware of it or can't express it verbally. During a second viewing, participants' gaze shifted to the exact spot where the surprise was about to happen, even when they verbally reported that they did not remember it. This suggests that tracking a person's eye movements is a more accurate way to measure memory than asking them directly.
The method could be particularly useful for assessing memory in individuals who can't speak, such as infants, patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease, or those with brain injuries. The current method of testing memory by asking a person to recall an event or item is limited because it cannot be used with individuals who cannot respond verbally. The new method has huge potential for filling this gap.
The study showed that people often remember more than they can verbally report. This finding could help scientists and clinicians identify memories in situations that were previously impossible to assess. The new study is indeed changing how memory is assessed, offering a promising new direction in the field of memory research.
Read also:
- Strategies for Increasing Food Intake in Advanced Years
- Drug-resistant pathogens prevalent across ICDDR,B, posing a considerable risk to newborns.
- Difficulties with Access to Care Highlighted in Prudential Asia Healthcare Survey 2025, Revealing Patient Concerns
- Veteran Nightmares Alleviated Through NightWare Technology on Apple Watch
