CNN || Life-logging camera brings new hope for memory-loss patients

A small, wearable camera that captures images automatically could change the way memory loss patients, in particular those with Alzheimer's, are treated, experts say.

The SenseCam takes low-resolution photographs (about one third of a mega pixel), with a fisheye lens, at a rate of two per minute.

These low quality shots may not be going in the family photo album, but they are enough to prompt our brains to access previously locked information, researchers say.

"The SenseCam is all about recalling a piece of information someone already has, rather than creating a memory," said Dr. Emma Berry, a clinical neuropsychologist , who has been working with memory loss patients using the camera.

She has also been working with Microsoft Research, who produced the camera, to conduct clinical trials.

In the initial trial, a woman with severe amnesia was given the SenseCam, which is worn at chest height.

The woman repeatedly reviewed episodic images of her daily life taken on the camera with her husband.

This triggered memory recall, according to Dr. Berry, who is based at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

She said: "She viewed the images and 'the memory came flooding back' -- as she put it -- when we asked her about it later, she described events in detail. She could tell us things that were not in the images on the SenseCam."

Researchers then took the images away and the patient was able to recall events up to 10 months later, Dr. Berry said.

While not conclusive, the results of the tests have been encouraging, she said.

Now, SenseCam is being tested with a handful of people who have Alzheimer's disease, with similar results in findings that have yet to be published.

"When the patients viewed SenseCam images of events they had experienced, they were able to recall the events three months later without needing to review the images," Dr. Berry said.

Previously, patients suffering from memory loss would keep written diaries but this has had limited success in creating enduring memories.