Menu
10/03/2011
Exhibition To Gather Memory Research
The latest in a series of laboratory events has opened at The Science Gallery at Trinity College.
The Memory Lab offers the opportunity for visitors to become part of the show and take part in real experiments that will be used in formal scientific research.
Spokeswoman for Trinity College Dublin’s Institute of Neuroscience, Dr Joanne Feeney, commented: "The idea is two-pronged, to have members of the public come in and learn about memory and how research works, and from our point of view it will generate a big data set."
There are eight experiments, five of them run on computers and resemble very simple brain-training exercises.
One task, "Do you know who I am?" measures the ability to attach a name to a face. Another, "Slow Memory", uses a simple number game to test working memory.
Other tasks such as "Total Recall", "Two Second Memory" and "Head Like a Sieve" all test the different forms of memory skills we use every day.
There are also a number of special events including tips on how to make yourself memorable and experiments that show, conclusively, that goldfish have good short-term working memory skills.
The idea was developed jointly by the Science Gallery and the institute’s Prof Shane O'Mara, who curated the exhibition.
Prof O'Mara hopes that up to 2,000 people will complete all the experiments, something that would deliver an "unprecedented" level of data. Data will only be collected after people provide their written consent.
Dr Feeney also added: "None of the tests are clinically diagnostic. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything if you are not good at the tasks."
The exhibition coincides with National Brain Awareness Week and opened just a day before the NAI, the umbrella body for more than 30 neurological charities, called on the incoming Government to prioritise neurological care, (see: Neurological Charities Face Crisis).
The NAI has blamed decades of under-investment in the area for the limited access to services that are routinely available in other European countries.
Memory Lab continues until Monday April 4th. See sciencegallery.ie
(JG/GK)
The Memory Lab offers the opportunity for visitors to become part of the show and take part in real experiments that will be used in formal scientific research.
Spokeswoman for Trinity College Dublin’s Institute of Neuroscience, Dr Joanne Feeney, commented: "The idea is two-pronged, to have members of the public come in and learn about memory and how research works, and from our point of view it will generate a big data set."
There are eight experiments, five of them run on computers and resemble very simple brain-training exercises.
One task, "Do you know who I am?" measures the ability to attach a name to a face. Another, "Slow Memory", uses a simple number game to test working memory.
Other tasks such as "Total Recall", "Two Second Memory" and "Head Like a Sieve" all test the different forms of memory skills we use every day.
There are also a number of special events including tips on how to make yourself memorable and experiments that show, conclusively, that goldfish have good short-term working memory skills.
The idea was developed jointly by the Science Gallery and the institute’s Prof Shane O'Mara, who curated the exhibition.
Prof O'Mara hopes that up to 2,000 people will complete all the experiments, something that would deliver an "unprecedented" level of data. Data will only be collected after people provide their written consent.
Dr Feeney also added: "None of the tests are clinically diagnostic. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything if you are not good at the tasks."
The exhibition coincides with National Brain Awareness Week and opened just a day before the NAI, the umbrella body for more than 30 neurological charities, called on the incoming Government to prioritise neurological care, (see: Neurological Charities Face Crisis).
The NAI has blamed decades of under-investment in the area for the limited access to services that are routinely available in other European countries.
Memory Lab continues until Monday April 4th. See sciencegallery.ie
(JG/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 December 2012
Reforms To Drugs Task Forces Announced
Mr Alex White TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy today announced the conclusions of a review of Drugs Task Forces undertaken by the Department of Health. Drugs Task Forces were set up in areas experiencing the highest levels of drug misuse, particularly heroin, in the late 1990s.
Reforms To Drugs Task Forces Announced
Mr Alex White TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy today announced the conclusions of a review of Drugs Task Forces undertaken by the Department of Health. Drugs Task Forces were set up in areas experiencing the highest levels of drug misuse, particularly heroin, in the late 1990s.
28 May 2012
McConalogue Condemns 'Sickening Vandalism' Of Memorial
Donegal North East Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue has condemned those responsible for the sickening destruction of a plaque dedicated to the memory of late Garda Gary McLoughlin. The 24-year-old Leitrim man died after a high speed garda chase at Bridgend in Co Donegal in December 2009.
McConalogue Condemns 'Sickening Vandalism' Of Memorial
Donegal North East Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue has condemned those responsible for the sickening destruction of a plaque dedicated to the memory of late Garda Gary McLoughlin. The 24-year-old Leitrim man died after a high speed garda chase at Bridgend in Co Donegal in December 2009.
16 August 2010
Omagh Bomb Families Press For Inquiry
Twelve years after the North's worst terrorist atrocity, the families bereaved in the IRA's Omagh bombing have revealed they are to raise their calls for a public inquiry in talks with the new Westminster Government next month.
Omagh Bomb Families Press For Inquiry
Twelve years after the North's worst terrorist atrocity, the families bereaved in the IRA's Omagh bombing have revealed they are to raise their calls for a public inquiry in talks with the new Westminster Government next month.
04 April 2016
FF Call For Special Task Force To Resolve Luas Dispute
Fianna Fáil has restated its call for a special task force to help resolve the ongoing Luas dispute in the interests of the travelling public. The parties spokesperson on Transport, Timmy Dooley, made the comments after writing to Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe to outline the need for such a task force to be implemented.
FF Call For Special Task Force To Resolve Luas Dispute
Fianna Fáil has restated its call for a special task force to help resolve the ongoing Luas dispute in the interests of the travelling public. The parties spokesperson on Transport, Timmy Dooley, made the comments after writing to Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe to outline the need for such a task force to be implemented.
11 August 2014
FF Back Calls For Specialist Drugs Task Force
Fianna Fáil has backed calls by Dublin Lord Mayor, Christy Burke, for a special task force to be established to tackle the escalating drug problem.
FF Back Calls For Specialist Drugs Task Force
Fianna Fáil has backed calls by Dublin Lord Mayor, Christy Burke, for a special task force to be established to tackle the escalating drug problem.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
