Scientists have discovered a new kind of brain cell which will help us to understand how we remember where we left things such as our car keys or mobile phones. Damage to these cells may help explain memory loss in certain kinds of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers have claimed. The research, led by Dr Steven Poulter and Dr Colin Lever, from Durham University, and co-directed by Dr Thomas Wills, from University College London, found that Vector Trace cells remember where things were located. As an example, Dr Poulter said: “Vector Trace cells help me remember where my daughter buried her seashells, i.e. Prof O’Keefe, Nobel Laureate, was impressed with the latest research, saying: “Not only have they discovered a new type of brain cell, the Vector Trace cell, but their analysis of its properties is exhaustive and compelling.

Source: The Herald December 21, 2020 15:56 UTC