Dementia Reversed In Half of Bee Brains By Changing Social Tasks

RoseTracker| Norwegian scientist Gro Amdam believes she is bringing hope to people with dementia. Professor Amdam is a expert in studying bee brains, whose brain cells are surprisingly similar to humans. When she makes a discovery about bee brains, the chances of her research being applicable to humans is high.

Working with her research team, Professor Amdam changed the social order of her bee community. Instead of sending the older bees to collect food outside the hive, while younger bees tended the larvae, she had them tend the larvae. This simple change in routine caused half the bees to improve their memories.

“Research on older people shows that social stimulation can have positive effects on health and brain functioning,” says Professor Amdam. “Bees appear to reflect some of this as well.”

The brain’s proteins may play a key role, because of vast differences in the levels of eight proteins in the brains of bees who improved their memories, versus those who didn’t. The next phase of research will involve new research partners who are protein experts. via Science Daily

More reading about bees, including their ability to distinguish human faces.