Science

Scientific breakthroughs could soon help us erase nasty events from our past

Тne uroscientists have found the gene that has oversight of archiving memories, and thus the responses that can occur when that memory comes to the surface. It is called Tet1. The research originates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and, of course, it involves that furry little helper of humankind: the mouse. Scientists delving into an area of the brain called memory extinction used two sets of mice, which were given a shock every time they entered a cage. But one bunch had its Tet1 gene ''knocked out''. When they were put back into the cage, but not given the shock, the ones without the gene were still in fear.

The Tet1 and its associates were busily overwriting the bad memory. So, if the activity of Tet1 could be stimulated, perhaps the nasty stuff could be erased? As the researchers pointed out, this could help those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder. Or it could help oneself deal with the spectres that dwell in the dark chambers of one's past or one's country's past.