Enrollment period extended for memory research project

Dr. Young Sek Kim (left) and Molly Burgess of the University of Georgia Institute of Gerontology discuss plans for their memory research project. The December enrollment period for the University of Georgia gerontology memory research project in Wilkes County has been extended.

"We are pleased with the response from folks in Washington," said Dr., Young Sek Kim. "Our time here has been very well spent."

"The more participants we have, the better will be the results," said Molly Burgess who is assisting in the qualifying test and is seeking additional interested participants.

Local contact Dr. Joe Harris said that the enrollees from Learning In Retirement (LIR) were substantial and that anyone who has been invited but could not schedule the time, or anyone else interested and who is in the 65-85 year age range, might contact or advise Burgess directly. Her Athens telephone number is 706-425-3218.

Whether or not a person is curious about his/her own memory capability, the basic study is interesting, according to Harris. It will determine how the recall of specific people, places and events are triggered. For example, if a name is difficult to recall, the trigger factor may be the first letter of the name.

Discovering the broad range of such trigger factors could make a significant contribution toward improvement in memory, recall, and a person's sense of well being and good health.