Spotless Mind? Unwanted Memories Might Be Erasable Without Harming Other Brain Functions
-
-
-
-
- inspirationseeker
- added this
-
more from Green:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081223121137.htm
The brain acts as a computer to both store information and process that information. In a computer, separate devices perform these roles; while a hard disk stores information, the central processing unit (CPU) does the processing. But the brain is thought to perform both these functions in the same cells – neurons – leading researchers to ask if distinct molecules within the brain cells serve these different functions.In a discovery that may one day lead to the ability to erase debilitating painful memories and addictions from the brain, researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center have found that a molecule known to preserve memories – PKMzeta – specifically stores complex, high-quality memories that provide detailed information about an animal's location, fears, and actions, but does not control the ability to process or express this information. This finding suggests that PKMzeta erasure that is designed to target specific debilitating memories could be effective against the offending memory while sparing the computational function of brain.
"If further work confirms this view we can expect to one day see therapies based on PKMzeta memory erasure," Dr. Fenton suggests. "Negative memory erasing not only could help people forget painful experiences, but might be useful in treating depression, general anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress, and addictions," he adds.
(complete story above)
-
- tags:
- Green, Science, Technology
-
-
CiiMONSTR
-
could have helped to know this earlier.. thanckks.
- 1 year ago
-
CiiMONSTR
-
-
inspirationseeker
-
Everyone has at least one memory that they would like to erase.
- 1 year ago
-
inspirationseeker
