MIT researchers have shown, for the first time ever, that memories are stored in specific brain cells. By triggering a small cluster of neurons, the researchers were able to force the subject to recall a specific memory. By removing these neurons, the subject would lose that memory.
As you can imagine, the trick here is activating individual neurons, which are incredibly small and not really the kind of thing you can attach electrodes to. To do this, the researchers used optogenetics, a bleeding edge sphere of science that involves the genetic manipulation of cells so that they’re sensitive to light. These modified cells are then triggered using lasers; you drill a hole through the subject’s skull and point the laser at a small cluster of neurons.
Wednesday 20 June 2012
MIT discovers the location of memories: Individual neurons ☀
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Whoa.
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can we use this technology to help Altzheimer’s patients from LOSING their memories?
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if selective memory erasure actually becomes a thing i’m gonna have everything erased EXCEPT how to survive in the...
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ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND.
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And this is why I’m glad I’m going into this field.
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k001!!
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