实验鼠 z-bo 2020-08-18 566

　　Memory artificially changing memory is not only the subject of science fiction, but also a hot spot of scientific research. Researchers have successfully "rewritten" the emotional memory of experimental mice, and hope that this technology can be used to treat related mental illnesses in the future.

　　Memory is usually emotional, and certain information in the memory (such as the location of an event) usually does not change, but the positive or negative nature of the memory can change. Previous studies have shown that the amygdala region of the brain is involved in the coding of emotional information, and the hippocampal dentate gyrus is involved in the coding of contextual information. However, it is not clear how these two parts interact to enable the brain to mark memories with emotions.

　　In the latest study, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shocked an experimental mouse with electric shocks, leaving a memory of fear. At the same time, another part of the experimental mice gained positive memories by interacting with the opposite sex. In the process, the researchers identified and recorded the neurons that play a role in the formation of these two types of memories. When the experimental mouse reaches a location that is injured or has a good experience, the related neuron will be activated, or quickly avoid it, or stay farther. Next, in order to reverse the emotional memory of experimental mice, the researchers used optogenetic technology, which uses light to control neural activity in the brain. When the neurons that form the fear memory were activated by light, the experimental mice reacted similarly to mice that were shocked. They actually interacted with the opposite sex, but in the relevant area. On the contrary, some experimental mice went to the shocked place, but when they activated the neurons in the brain that form good memories, they "forgot the fear." You will have a good time here.

　　Analysis shows that the neural network of the hippocampal dentate gyrus is activated in the process of "memory distortion", thereby changing the "memory track" connection between the hippocampal dentate gyrus and the amygdala, inverting or rewriting important memory areas.

　　The results show that they help us understand the formation mechanism of emotional memory and indicate the possibility of changing emotional memory at the level of brain circuits. Based on this, it is expected that new treatments for mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder will be developed.