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Virtuelles Gehirn gibt Einblicke in Gedächtnisprobleme bei Depression (A14, F01)

Die Presseabteilung der Ruhr-Universität Bochum berichtet im Newsportal: Die Konsequenzen von lang anhaltenden depressiven Phasen könnten weitreichender sein als bislang gedacht.

Während einer depressiven Phase verringert sich die Fähigkeit des Gehirns, neue Nervenzellen zu bilden – mit negativen Folgen für das Gedächtnis. Dass Menschen sich in depressiven Phasen schlechter an aktuelle Ereignisse erinnern, war bereits bekannt. Nun zeigten Forscher dass auch ältere Erinnerungen betroffen sein könnten. Das Team um Sen Cheng (Projektleiter A14, F01) stellte ein depressives Gehirn in einem Computermodell nach. Je länger eine depressive Phase im Modell andauerte, desto weiter reichten die Gedächtnisprobleme zurück.

Alte Erinnerungen könnten bleibend geschädigt werden.

Sen Cheng

„Bisher geht man davon aus, dass nur während einer Depression Gedächtnisstörungen auftreten“, erklärt Sen Cheng. „Wenn unser Modell recht hat, hätten Depressionen weitreichendere Konsequenzen. Alte Erinnerungen könnten bleibend geschädigt werden, selbst wenn die Depression bereits abgeklungen ist.“

Die Ergebnisse publizierte die Bochumer Gruppe in der Fachzeitschrift Plos One vom 7. Juni 2018.

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New Year, New Me: The Facts

As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).

Most common new years resolutions:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. Spend more time with family/friends (35%)

How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?

  • Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week. 
  • 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month. 
  • 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.

What makes resolutions stick?

Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.

The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all. 

Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to „take better care of themselves“ could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.

So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.