LinkNotes: Selectively Deleting Memories

2008-10-23

Selectively Deleting Memories

Selectively Deleting Memories

Research in mice suggests that it might be possible to delete specific painful memories.

"While memories are great teachers and obviously crucial for survival and adaptation, selectively removing incapacitating memories, such as traumatic war memories or an unwanted fear, could help many people live better lives," says Dr. Joe Z. Tsien, brain scientist and co-director of the Brain & Behavior Discovery Institute at the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. (Credit: Image courtesy of Medical College of Georgia)

clipped from sbg.ecnu.edu.cn

Laboratory of Systems Neurobiology (Joe Z. Tsien)

Genetic and Genomic analyses of memory processes

clipped from www.health24.com

Memory is generally separated into four different stages: acquisition, consolidation, storage and retrieval. Earlier research identified specific molecules that appear to play a role in the various phases of the memory process.

But Tsien said his team found a way to quickly manipulate the activity of the "memory molecule," the protein CaMKII (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) that plays a key role in brain cell communication, and so is linked to many aspects of learning and memory.

How the research was done
Researchers developed a "chemical genetic strategy," which made it possible to manipulate the protein in transgenic mice bred to overproduce the molecule.

"Using this technique, we examined the manipulation of transgenic CaMKII activity on the retrieval of short-term and long-term fear memories and novel object recognition memory" in transgenic mice, Tsien said.

clipped from medgadget.com