Research: How to improve memory quality?

A molecule has been found that serves as a switch to create long-term memory. The discovery, published in Cell magazine, is the result of a joint study by researchers from the University of Haifa, from Canada and the USA 

Courtesy of the BeOK system 

 
Memory begins to become clearer: a molecule has been found that serves as a switch for the creation of long-term memory. The dramatic discovery, published in the prestigious magazine Cell, is the result of a joint study by researchers from the University of Haifa, Canada and the USA. "We proved that we have a new molecular purpose - to improve long-term memories," said Dr. Kobi Ronzenbloom from the University of Haifa 
  
Collaboration between researchers from the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Haifa and researchers from Canada and the United States led to the identification of a molecule in the brain that serves as a switch for the creation of long-term memories.

The researchers even succeeded through genetic manipulations to improve or worsen the long-term memory of laboratory mice. The research is published these days in the prestigious Cell magazine.

"The brain continues to process the information received long after the acquisition of the information. Minutes, hours, days and even months after we have learned something, the brain continues to process the information that was taken in unconsciously, while at the same time the brain takes in a lot of new and different information," explained Dr. Kobi Rosenblum, head of the Laboratory for the Study of Molecular Mechanisms of Learning and Memory in the Department of Neurobiology at Haifa University

"This time after learning significantly determines the quality of the memories, will the memories be engraved in our minds and guide our behavior in the future or will they weaken and expire?

This process in which our memories go from vulnerable short-term memories to durable long-term memories is called memory consolidation and is the main research topic in our laboratory," continued Dr. Rosenblum.

During the study, the researchers found that a certain molecule (eIF2a), which is found in nerve cells in the brain, serves as a switch or a kind of dimmer (dimer) that regulates the transition from short-term to long-term memory.

Or in simpler words: when this molecule is in a certain state, the brain is able to remember things better in the long term and when the molecule is in a different state, the brain's ability to remember things in the long term is impaired.

With the help of genetic and pharmacological manipulations, the researchers were able to create two groups of laboratory mice. In one group the "molecular switch" was open and strengthened the memory and in the second group the "molecular switch" was normal.

The mice went through several tests that tested their spatial memory, emotional memory and memory for tastes and indeed it turned out that the mice with the open switch were able to remember better than those whose switch was closed.

In addition, the researchers also examined the electrical processes and found that processes known to be necessary for the creation of memories, such as strengthening connections in the nerve cells, were strengthened in the mice with the open switch.

These manipulations did not affect short-term memory, proving that long-term and short-term memories are two different processes.

The new discovery has potential in the treatment of problems arising from decreased cognitive ability and memory problems.

"Older people, for example, have no problem retrieving old memories - they knew very well how to tell stories from their childhood, but they have a problem creating new memories, so they can't remember where they put their key just a few hours ago.

In the current study we proved that we have a molecular target that improves long-term memories. The fact that we genetically improved the ability to retain memories in mice without harming other cognitive processes allows for the testing of a variety of existing and new substances that will target the eIF2a molecule and cause an improvement in the ability to retain memories in the adult population or in patients with various cognitive problems," noted Dr. Rosenblum.