Question

Patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease often struggle to remember recently learned information, meaning they forget things like important appointments or where they left their keys. But it seems that these memories are not lost. They are still filed away in the brain somewhere; they just can’t be easily accessed.

Now, researchers at MIT have developed a means of getting back memories in mice suffering from Alzheimer’s. The method relies on a technique that uses light to control genetically modified neurons (转基因神经元). Currently it is too early to be used in human trials as it involves inserting light emitting (发光) equipment into the subjects’ brains, but the same principles still apply, the researchers said.

“The important point is that this is evidence of concept. That is, even if a memory seems to be gone, it is still there. It’s a matter of how to get it back,” said senior researcher Susumu Tonegawa.

The team took two groups of mice, one genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s and one healthy. They then placed them into a room and gave them a mild electric shock. All of the mice showed fear when put back in an hour later. When placed in the room a third time several days later, the Alzheimer’s mice acted normally. They had forgotten the shock.

The researchers were then able to bring back the memory of the shock by activating (激活) the cells in which the memories were stored. Even when the mice were put into an unfamiliar room, they showed fear when the cells associated with the shock were activated.

“Short-term memory seems to be normal, on the order of hours. But for long-term memory, these early-Alzheimer’s mice seem to be damaged,” said lead researcher Dheeraj Roy. “Directly activating the cells that we believe are holding the memory helps them get it back. This suggests that it is indeed an access problem to the information, not that they’re unable to learn or store this memory.”

1.What can we learn about the researchers at MIT?

A. They are the pioneers of brain research.

B. They have used the method in human trials.

C. They can cure Alzheimer’s using the new method.

D. They can get back memories in mice with Alzheimer’s.

2.Why did the Alzheimer’s mice behave normally a third time?

A. They failed to remember the electric shock.

B. They were accustomed to the situation.

C. They managed to overcome the fear.

D. They activated the association.

3.For long-term memory, the early Alzheimer’s mice _______.

A. can activate their blood cells

B. can’t learn new tricks well

C. can easily get back their memory

D. can’t access the information stored

4.The main purpose of the text is to _______.

A. introduce a method of a research

B. report the latest discovery about a disease

C. give advice on how to improve memory

D. explain how our brain stores information

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.D

4.B

【解析】这是一篇科普类说明文。研究表明，早期Alzheimer患者的记忆并没有丧失，他们的记忆只是被储存在另一个地方，患者没有办法获取这些记忆。目前，MIT的研究者们研制出了一种方法，可以把患有Alzheimer的老鼠的记忆找回来。

1.细节理解题。由第二段中的“researchers at MIT have developed a means of getting back memories in mice suffering from Alzheimer’s”可知，MIT的研究者们研制出了一种方法，可以把患有Alzheimer的老鼠的记忆找回来。故选D。

2.细节理解题。由倒数第三段中的“When placed in the room a third time several days later, the Alzheimer’s mice acted normally. They had forgotten the shock”可知，当老鼠第三次被放到房间里时，它们已经忘记了曾经遭受的电击，这导致它们行为正常。故A选项正确。

3.细节理解题。由倒数第二段中的“But for long-term memory, these early-Alzheimer’s mice seem to be damaged…it is indeed an access problem to the information, not that they’re unable to learn or store this memory”可知，患有早期Alzheimer的老鼠的长期记忆受到了损害，这些老鼠可以储存记忆，但是它们不能够再获取已经储存起来的记忆。故D项正确。

4.写作意图题。研究表明，早期Alzheimer患者的记忆并没有丧失，他们的记忆只是被储存在另一个地方，患者没有办法获取这些记忆。目前，MIT的研究者们研制出了一种方法，可以把患有Alzheimer的老鼠的记忆找回来。该文主要就是介绍这一研究发现的。故B项正确。