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Print 14 comment(s) - last by Solandri.. on Jun 22 at 8:10 PM

  (Source: shockmd.com)
The use of pharmacological agents to block the normal interactions between the CA3 and CA1 internal divisions within the hippocampus made the long-term memory of rats switch on and off

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) have found a way to switch memories on and off in rats.

Theodore Berger, study leader from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering's Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Sam A. Deadwyler, of the Wake Forest University Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, have designed a way of switching a rats memory on and off like a light switch.

To do this, scientists taught the rats a certain task where they must press one lever down instead of the other. When they pressed the correct lever, the rats were given a reward. The rats then received embedded electrical probes that allowed the team to record changes in the rat's brain activity between the subregions CA3 and CA1, which are two internal divisions in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is known for transforming short term memory into long-term memory.

The team then used pharmacological agents to block the normal interactions between the CA3 and CA1 internal divisions. With these interactions blocked, previously trained rats no longer behaved as they did before with the levers. Berger noted that they still knew to press the left lever first, then the right lever second, and that the levers released water, but they could only remember for 5 to 10 seconds before forgetting which lever they previously released.

In addition, the researchers built an artificial hippocampal system that could mimic the interactions between the CA3 and CA1. When the electronic device was activated, the pharmacologically blocked rats were able to remember their long-term training once again.

The team went on to even strengthen memory through the use of a prosthetic device and associated electrodes that were implanted in an animal's hippocampus.

"These integrated experimental modelling studies show for the first time that with sufficient information about the neural coding of memories, a neural prosthesis capable of real-time identification and manipulation of the encoding process can restore and even enhance cognitive mnemonic processes," said the paper.

Berger and his team plan to conduct the same research in primates next, and eventually in humans to help treat Alzheimer's disease.

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Imagine the possibilities....
By Burnc4 on 6/21/2011 8:49:41 PM , Rating: 4
...no more Ex ^_^




RE: Imagine the possibilities....
By ClownPuncher on 6/22/2011 12:05:30 PM , Rating: 3
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;


By Solandri on 6/22/2011 8:10:37 PM , Rating: 3
These aren't the memories you're looking for. Move along.


Long term memory?
By SilthDraeth on 6/22/2011 1:52:08 AM , Rating: 2
"Berger noted that they still knew to press the left lever first, then the right lever second, and that the levers released water, but they could only remember for 5 to 10 seconds before forgetting which lever they previously released. "

Wouldn't that be short term memory? Or are you implying that 5 to 10 seconds is long term, and I guess the the memory of pressing left than right is ultra long term?

Maybe I don't understand the definition of long and short though.

*Note: I didn't read the paper, just responding to what is posted in this article.*




RE: Long term memory?
By cjohnson2136 on 6/22/2011 9:57:03 AM , Rating: 2
Maybe 5 to 10 seconds is long term for a mouse?


RE: Long term memory?
By Solandri on 6/22/2011 8:08:06 PM , Rating: 2
Short-term memory is memory which is only retained for a few seconds. Close your eyes and recall the details what you were looking at. That's a type of short-term memory. That the rats were able to remember for 5-10 sec means their short-term memory was intact.

The long-term memory in question was whether they had already pressed the left lever. So after 5-10 sec, a rat which had already pushed the left lever would go back and push the left lever again as if it had never pressed it.

The part of the brain they are messing with is that which turns short-term memories into long-term memory. So the rats could remember they had pressed the left lever for the 5-10 sec it was in short-term memory. But afterwards they forgot because it was never converted into long-term memory. Hence long-term memory had been suppressed.


There is hope!
By gevorg on 6/21/2011 11:38:11 PM , Rating: 5
There is still hope that someday I can remove that goatse image off my brain...

and Justin Bieber.




Johnny Mnemonic
By Runiteshark on 6/21/2011 10:19:48 PM , Rating: 2
I look forward to the day when we are able to get neural implants ala Ghost in the Shell constant internet style.




RE: Johnny Mnemonic
By ViroMan on 6/22/2011 8:31:31 AM , Rating: 2
I look forward to hacking your ghost.


All there is left to do...
By Smartless on 6/21/2011 8:32:00 PM , Rating: 2
Is turn it into a red flashy thing now.

In any case, that's amazing to be able to map out memory blockers. Who knows what other uses this could have, from secret agents to treating PTSD.




Wow
By DKantUno on 6/22/2011 9:30:52 AM , Rating: 2
I find it unbelievable that a generic newspaper - an actual printed only once every 24 hours newspaper, with a rather horrible website if I might add - beat a technology website to covering this news. I remembered reading this sometime last week:

http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?p...

Not that it's a big deal, but I just find it odd in these times. :)




Politicians
By The Raven on 6/22/2011 12:07:27 PM , Rating: 2
Politicians have been doing this for years. How else would they be able to sleep at night?




I'm was left...
By Ramstark on 6/22/2011 5:09:18 PM , Rating: 2
Waiting for my MIB reference...xD




Big deal
By YashBudini on 6/21/11, Rating: 0
"Spreading the rumors, it's very easy because the people who write about Apple want that story, and you can claim its credible because you spoke to someone at Apple." -- Investment guru Jim Cramer











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