A group of U.S. scientists have succeeded in artificially manipulating memories in mice brains, offering possibility for weakening harmful thoughts in mental patients, Science Daily reported Thursday.

It has been known that stimulating certain parts of the brain can induce behaviors or memories, but the mechanism behind those memory functions has remained a mystery.

Now a new study by the Scripps Research Institute suggests a clue to understanding the complexity of the human mind.

Researchers genetically engineered the mice brains by inserting two genes into mice that works like an “on-off switch” for neurons involved in specific memories.

They triggered the “on” switch active and put mice in a new environment, Box A with distinct features, allowing them to learn their surroundings. Then, they put the mice in a different Box B, and gave them chemicals to turn on neurons related to Box A.

Apparently confused mice behaved as though they were creating a hybrid memory that was part Box A and B.

According to the research leader Mark Mayford, memories of both animals and humans are created by accumulating information gained over years. He said the study suggests that the brain “uses the activity patters of nerve cells from old memories and merge this with the activity produced during a new learning session.”

The researchers hope to advance the study to more accurate control which will allow them to turn on and off memories at will. In this case, the scientists can even fool the mice to believe they are in one place when they are actually in a totally different place.

Mayford said it might be possible to eventually utilize the perception process through drug treatment for people suffering from false perceptions or damaging fears, such as schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder.

If such treatment is possible, it may be able to “turn off” neurons involved with negative, often destructive fears or thoughts.



By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)