Microsoft camera fights memory loss

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:26:44

Microsoft Corp. makes a breakthrough by creating a wearable digital camera which can help individuals suffering from memory problems.

The newly-developed 'SenseCam' camera takes snapshots of daily events every 30 seconds so they can be reviewed later at high-speed to rekindle the patients' memory.

Experts anticipate that it could provide promising assistance to people with general memory loss and more serious conditions such as Alzheimer's, Epilepsy and Dementia.

"Once people in the early stages of Alzheimer's or other conditions involving memory loss realize they can't remember events, people and places they stop doing things because of the frustration of not being able to remember later," said Dr Chris Moulin, a neuropsychologist at the UK Leeds University.

"A great use for such a camera would be for such events - things out of the normal routine. Having the camera could mean that they can revisit not only the facts of such events, but the essential feelings that are so much part of memory," He concluded.

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