Would you erase your ex?  Researchers discover how to tweak neurons in mice to boost or delete individual memories

  • Study manipulated neurotransmitter responsible for signalling in memory
  • When they increased its release in the amygdala, memory was enhanced 
  • When signalling was decreased, they were able to wipe out the memory
  • Researchers say the findings set basis for research in dementia and PTSD

Scientists may soon be able to wipe out your most haunting memories.

Researchers at Stony Brook University have found a way to manipulate neurons in the brains of mice to strengthen or erase particular memories.

These findings could work toward the development of new methods to enhance pleasant memories for people suffering from dementia, or even reverse post-traumatic stress disorder.

Scientists may soon be able to wipe out your most haunting memories using lasers. Researchers in Japan have found a way to manipulate neurons in the brains of mice to remove triggers for certain bad memories (stock image)  

In a recent study, researchers tested the underlying mechanism of memory using a fear-based model in mice, and found they could enhance or wipe out memories. These findings could work toward the development of new methods to treat dementia, or even reverse post-traumatic stress disorder

WHAT THE STUDY FOUND 

The researchers manipulated acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that acts as a mechanism for signalling involved in memory.

They found that when they increased acetylcholine release in the amygdala as a traumatic memory formed, this memory was enhanced, lasting more than twice as long as normal.

When acetylcholine signalling was decreased during a traumatic experience, the researchers were able to wipe out the memory.

They say this essentially created 'fearless mice.' 

Scientists generally believe that emotional memories are tied to the amygdala, though the mechanisms which control memory are still a mystery in many ways.

In the recent work, researchers tested the underlying mechanism of memory using a fear-based model in mice.

The team manipulated acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that acts as a mechanism for signalling involved in memory.

This neurotransmitter is delivered to the amygdala by cholinergic neurons, which reside in the base of the brain and have been thought to strengthen emotional memories when increased in the amygdala.

To stimulate specific populations of cholinergic neurons, the researchers used light to control the cells in living tissue, a method known as opto-genetics.

‘Memories of emotionally charged experiences are particularly strong, whether positive or negative experiences, and the goal of our research is to determine the mechanisms underlying the strengthening of memory,’ said Lorna Role, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Behaviour and Co-Director of the Neurosciences Institute at Stony Brook Medicine.

The researchers found that when they increased acetylcholine release in the amygdala as a traumatic memory formed, this memory was enhanced, lasting more than twice as long as normal.

When acetylcholine signalling was decreased during a traumatic experience, the researchers were able to wipe out the memory.

In separate research, Stony Brook University found a way to manipulate neurons in the brains of mice to strengthen or erase memories. In the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, pictured, a couple undergoes a procedure to have their memories of each other erased

Researchers at Stony Brook University have found a way to manipulate neurons in the brains of mice to strengthen or erase particular memories. In the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, pictured above, a couple undergoes a procedure to have their memories of each other erased

‘This second finding was particularly surprising, as we essentially created fearless mice by manipulating acetylcholine circuits in the brain,’ explained Dr. Role.

‘The findings provide the basis for research examining novel approaches to reverse post-traumatic stress disorder.’

As research continues, however, the researchers say there will be some challenges.

Cholinergic neurons are intermingled with other types of neurons, and are fewer in number in comparison.

And as acetylcholine is a natural mechanism, future work will focus on non-pharmacologic methods.

‘The long-term goal of our research is that we would like to find ways – potentially independent of drug administration – to enhance or diminish the strength of specific memories, the good ones, and diminish the bad ones,’ said Dr. Role. 

TRAINING YOUR BRAIN TO BANISH BAD MEMORIES

A new study led by researchers from Dartmouth and Princeton has shown that people can intentionally forget past experiences by changing how they think about the context of those memories.

The researchers showed participants images of outdoor scenes, such as forests, mountains and beaches, as they studied two lists of random words.

The volunteers deliberately manipulated whether the participants were told to forget or remember the first list prior to studying the second list.

Right after they were told to forget, the scans showed they 'flushed out' the scene-related activity from their brains. 

But when the participants were told to remember the studied list rather than forget it, this flushing out of scene-related thoughts didn't occur.

The amount people flushed out scene-related thoughts predicted how many of the studied words they would later remember, which shows the process is effective at facilitating forgetting. 

To forget those negative thoughts coming back to haunt you, researchers suggest trying to push out the context of the memory.

For example, if you associate a song with a break-up, listen to the song in a new environment.

Try listening to it as you exercise at the gym, or add to a playlist you listen to before a night out.

This way, your brain will associate with a positive feeling.

If a memory of a scene from a horror film haunts you, watch the same scene during the daytime.

Or watch it without sound but play a comedy clip over the top. 

 

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