Wear your memory round your neck

The slim digital device is worn around the neck and takes a snap of any movement or when there are changes in temperature and light.

Played back on a computer at night, the series of images could improve the recall of those suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other conditions that rob people of their memories.

It could also help those suffering memory loss brought on by strokes, epilepsy and accidents.

In tests on an amnesia patient, it kept events that would have been forgotten in less than a week fresh in the mind almost a year later.

While keeping a written diary can improve recall in such cases, many find it difficult to remember to make notes throughout the day. But the SenseCam, which was developed by Microsoft as an aid to finding lost keys, takes pictures automatically, meaning the patient does not have to remember to do it themselves.

The 'black box for the human body' could go on sale within three years for less than £50.

Tests at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge showed regular viewing of the pictures can greatly improve recall. Images are thought to be better than words for triggering memories.

The SenseCam was more effective than a written diary, keeping memories clearer for longer.

A 63-year-old woman, who suffered severe memory loss following a brain infection, told researchers the images brought memories 'flooding back'. And her husband spoke of his 'sheer pleasure' at being able to share experiences with his wife again.

Researcher Dr Emma Berry told the British Psychological Society's annual conference in York yesterday: "These results are really exciting, really quite astonishing."

Cambridge researcher Dr Steve Hodges said both patients and carers could benefit.

He said: "One of the things we learned with the amnesia patient was that the husband got as much benefit as the wife because they could share experiences. He said it was a delight to reminisce with his wife again."