The ability for scientists to block memories seems like the plot of a sci-fi movie. In fact, if you’ve ever seen the movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” then you’ll know how the characters attempted to erase memories associated with emotional experiences. Well, new research from Western University shows how scientists were able to block memory recall that is prevalent in PTSD and addiction sufferers, often hindering treatment and increasing relapse risk.
The research showed a common mechanism in the part of the brain called the pre-limbic cortex can control the recall of memories linked to the traumatic experiences of PTSD and the rewarding memories associated with addiction. Even more exciting is that researchers “discovered a way to actively suppress the spontaneous recall of both types of memories, without permanently altering memories.” (The Canadian). The study’s findings will be published in the journal Neuropharmacology.
By stimulating a specific type of dopamine receptor known as the “D1” receptor in a specific part of the brain, neuroscientists (using a rats) found they could completely stop the recall of both fearful and reward-signaling memories. This is significant because both PTSD and addiction are known for intrusive memory recall. With PTSD it’s fearful, emotional experiences, and with addiction it’s environmental cues and triggers that activate reward-related memories and raise the risk of relapse.
Unlike “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” where the characters seek to permanently alter their memory recall, the neuroscientists at Western University found no long-term changes or alterations. In fact, they were able to prevent spontaneous recall of the specific memories, but there was no brain damage and the original memories were left intact.
