Genetics news & views from students enrolled in BIOL 2110 at Stockton University.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Memory-Erasing Gene Discovered in Mice
A replication of erasing old memories
Tet1 gene
There has been a new gene that has been identified for erasing old memories discovered in mice. This gene is called Tet1 gene and was uncovered as the “memory extinction.”. By discovering this gene, scientists are trying to point out new ways to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a condition where there is persistent mental and emotional stress that as a result of injury or severe psychological shock. Erasing these memories of shock with pleasant memories makes it easier for people to replace the memories of traumatic events. This gene appears to have control over a small group of other genes, so if researchers find a way to boost the activity of Tet1 gene, the extinction learning is more active. However, scientists have noted that there is a difference between research in animals and humans. The experiment involved mice with intact Tet1 gene and mice without Tet1 involved in conditions to fear a particular cage. This particular cage aloud the mice to receive a mild shock so a memory was formed. Once completed the two different mice were put back in the cage and the mice with Tet1 did not receive shock, while the other mice did. Tsai, a professor of neuroscience, said"what happens during memory extinction is not erasure of the original memory, instead the old trace of memory is telling the mice that this place is dangerous, but the new memory informs the mice that this place is actually safe." Further on, the researchers hope to find new innovative ways to boost Tet1 levels so it can increase and enhance memory extinction.
I actually have a relative who has recently been dealing with PTSD and he hasn't seemed to find a way to cope with it. It has gotten so bad that his family is being effected from it and trying to do anything they can to satisfy his needs. With the new discovery of the Tet1 gene, people who have suffered or are still suffering from traumatic memories can develop a new lifestyle by turning off this gene. It's pretty neat if you think about it. A simple switch can change your whole life completely. Its horrible to see people suffer on a daily basis from old memories and the process of elimination could vary. It's convenient to turn of this gene off without having to waste time, but how brutal is the surgery? Are there risks? This is something that definitely needs to be looked at by different angles to help people who live their life suffering.
I actually have a relative who has recently been dealing with PTSD and he hasn't seemed to find a way to cope with it. It has gotten so bad that his family is being effected from it and trying to do anything they can to satisfy his needs. With the new discovery of the Tet1 gene, people who have suffered or are still suffering from traumatic memories can develop a new lifestyle by turning off this gene. It's pretty neat if you think about it. A simple switch can change your whole life completely. Its horrible to see people suffer on a daily basis from old memories and the process of elimination could vary. It's convenient to turn of this gene off without having to waste time, but how brutal is the surgery? Are there risks? This is something that definitely needs to be looked at by different angles to help people who live their life suffering.
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