Who says that memories of unpleasant experiences remain in the brain for a lifetime? Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA) have discovered thatby eliminating proteins from a certain area of the brain, negative memories disappear. “Our study describes the molecular mechanisms involved in fear memory and the possibility of manipulating these mechanisms with drugs to treat problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder,” explains neuroscientist Richard L. Huganir, co-author of the work.
In their experiments, Huganir and his colleagues traumatized mice by giving them an electric shock while making a specific noise. After the experience, the mice reacted by becoming immobile just by hearing the tone. In the nervous circuits of theamygdala– the part of the brain related to fear – the scientists detected that there had been an increase in the activity of certain nerve cells. And by examining the proteins before and after exposure to sound in the area, they identified that certainproteins called AMPARsthey were related to the memory that caused fear of rodents. By eliminating them, the memory associated with the trauma was also erased.
“The possibility of erasing memories may sound like science fiction,” admits Huganir, who nevertheless is convinced that his findings will soon be able to be used to help soldiers who have returned from war, people who have been abducted. or to individuals who have suffered a traumatic experience.
