Submitted via IRC for SoyCow8093
Scientists have for the first time shown how a single molecule expressed in the brain affects how we learn new tasks and acquire new memories. The discovery has profound implications for understanding why some older people, including those living with dementia and those with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, struggle in remembering recent facts (short-term memory) and adapting to new tasks.
[...] The findings, published in the journal Neuron, are led by Dr Sonia A.L. Correa from the University of Bradford and Dr Angela M. Mabb from Georgia State University in the US and in collaboration with Dr Mark Wall from the University of Warwick. They mark an important breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms in the brain that control cognitive abilities. The team already knew the importance of the protein Arc in learning and memory. Arc is a key protein in enabling synaptic connections and is switched on during learning and, when no longer needed, switched off rapidly.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180531142654.htm
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 05 2018, @09:38PM (1 child)
It's called Ketamine. It works as an amnesiac and can be used during field surgery to wipe out not only pain, but memories of it. Just be aware that waking back up can be...a little disturbing...
(Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Tuesday June 05 2018, @10:23PM
I heard about blackout pills, otherwise known as amnesia pills, before, it wasn't my idea, it's nothing new. I didn't know about Ketamine. From the way you tell it, that one's not PERFECTO. And maybe none of them are. Look what happened to Bill Cosby. Some ladies remembered and now he's locked up. But maybe with this new info our brilliant pharma industry can make some much better pills. Pills to remember and pills to forget. And maybe there's much more money in the forgetting!!!!