Scientists have shown evidence for the theory that traumatic memories can be erased from the human brain. It turns out Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was prophetic.
Research essence
Studies in mice have shown that scary memories triggered by the sounds mice associate with electric shocks can be turned on and off. Scientists noted that trying to do the same with humans would be fraught with ethical problems and generally look wild. However, the results of the study suggest that in the not too distant future it will be possible to use the obtained data, for example, for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and drug dependence.
Disabling cells
Professor Sheena Josselyn, speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, said that she and her team were able to locate specific brain cells that store specific memories. “This way we can find out exactly where in the brain a particular memory is stored,” she said. “Then we can lower the activity of these cells. It will look like we have erased this memory. " After scientists put this into practice, mice stopped paying attention to the sound they used to associate with the sound of an electric shock. If the activity of the brain cells was restored to the usual level, the memory of the electric shock returned and became strong enough to be unpleasant, but not cause long-term harm to the body.at least in the case of mice. “We can turn memory on and off,” said Professor Josselyn. - It really proves the given theory. If there is a problem with memory, then there is no need to influence the whole human body, moreover, it is not even necessary to influence the whole brain."
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The future of theory
Professor Josselyn said there is a possibility that in the future, scientists may develop "some kind of infrared homing drug that somehow can target exclusively these cells, which play a critical role in human memory." “We were able to remove the frightening memories in mice, which indicates that in the case of humans, there must also be a way to target only those cells that contain these traumatic memories, and perhaps even get rid of such memories completely.” she noted.
