Reversing Alzheimer's memory loss may be possible

This article speaks about a test done with mice given an alzheimer's-like disease. The mice were then trained and were able to learn new things and even remember things that they had forgotten. Through learning new things, the mice were able to access memories that they could not before. The article points out an important point: that if the mice were able to recall memories from before they had the disease, it proved that the memories were not destroyed, but somehow inhibited from being accessed. The authors suggest a relationship to the adult form of the disease, which could potentially help to fight the disease, but certainly also help to improve the quality of life for the patients. The mice were also given a drug that stimulates the growth of nerves, which probably played just as important of a role as the the other stimuli to the brain.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/04/30/alzheimers.memory.reut/index.html