Scientists ABle to Wipe Out Bad Memories

[pioneer]

By Matt McGrath
BBC News

Scientists in the US say they have developed the ability to selectively wipe out uncomfortable memories.

In experiments with mice, researchers from the Georgia College of Medicine were able to eliminate memories without any damage to the rodents' brains.

They suggested that the technique which works on a particular protein in the brain could, one day, be used to help humans overcome traumatic events.

However, the chief scientist said this was "years or even decades away".

Memories, even painful ones, are an important part of the learning process but for some people recalling traumatic events can be extremely damaging to their lives.

Scientists at the Georgia College of Medicine say they have found a molecular mechanism that can rapidly remove specific memories.

[Lorenzo]

Interesting. I'd like to read more into this sometime.

My only concern is that there is no specific molecule that is coded for a particular memory. This study in rats is conducted in facilitating necrosis of a particular region of the brain; namely the cerebral cortex.

Any necrosis of cerebral tissue is permanent; as neural tissues are incapable of mitotic division. They are already precursor cells.

Any necrosis in a given brain would, suffice to say, damage some other memories and or capabilities.

Interesting ba ja ning study, though.