Study into busy life syndrome

A TEAM of Scots researchers are seeking a cure for forgetfulnessand lack of concentration - a condition that has been branded busylifestyle syndrome.

Information overload and the effect it has on our memory willcome under the spotlight for a Glasgow-based research programme.

With our everyday lives now being consumed with checking emails,social network website updates and news on demand, it could all behaving an impact on our ability to remember what's important. Nowexperts at CPS Research in Glasgow say there is evidence that peopleare becoming increasingly absent-minded as they struggle to copewith constant streams of information from mobile phones, theinternet, radio and television.

They say people are regularly misplacing items or forgettingpeople's names.

An investigation will be undertaken into whether the condition,known as subjective cognitive impairment, could be cured with a lowdose of memantine, a drug prescribed for sufferers of Alzheimer's.

Dr Alan Wade, of CPS, said: "Forgetfulness is an ordinary part ofgetting older, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it is nowaffecting people earlier in life as a result of busy work and homelives and so-called "information overload" from the various mediachannels we consume today.

"We are investigating whether an already-licensed drug could holda key to aiding forgetfulness and lack of concentration.

"The sheer volume of information coming in is much worse than ithas ever been and it just isn't practical for someone to try andstop it. You can't stop your phone ringing or responding to emailsand it is maybe leading us to forget things, but the question now iswhat can you do about it?"

Memantine is prescribed for Alzheimers and, in the US, has beenused as a lifestyle tool with some students known to take it aroundexam time to help boost their memory, but there is a lack ofscientific research to suggest that it really works.

CPS is looking for people aged between 50 and 80, who have foundthemselves becoming more forgetful, to take part in the study, whichwill involve a series of five memory tests.

Mr Wade said the research was aimed at people who have troubleretaining information, which he underlined was not to be confusedwith the serious memory loss that can be associated with early-onset dementia.

Dr Wade added: "This study is aimed at those who are constantlylosing their keys, forgetting peoples' names or misplacing theirglasses rather than anything more serious.

"Our aim is to find out if this drug will actually work and if itdoes then it raises interesting moral questions on whether we shouldbe using it and who should be given it. We are looking for peoplewho suffer from mild memory loss and would be conducting theresearch over three months with a small dose of the drug being used.

"They would be required to do memory tests on five occasions andwe hope to have the study completed by later in the year." CPSResearch is a stand-alone clinical research company with more than20 years' experience.

Last year CPS set up a worldwide sleep study which couldradically reduce the symptoms associated with dementia.

The groundbreaking trial was the first of its kind to investigatethe use of sleep hormone melatonin as an add-on treatment fordementia. The study is already showing remarkable initial results involunteers from Scotland. The trial was to help investigate the useof melatonin as an add-on treatment in the illness, which ofteninvolves sleeping difficulties.

Research suggests dementia patients produce very littlemelatonin, the natural hormone produced to prepare the body forsleep and to maintain it.