Scientists Erase Specific Memories In Mice 320
Ostracus writes "It sounds like science fiction, but scientists say it might one day be possible to erase undesirable memories from the brain, selectively and safely. After exposing mice to emotionally powerful stimuli, such as a mild shock to their paws, the scientists then observed how well or poorly the animals subsequently recalled the particular trauma as their brain's expression of CaMKII was manipulated up and down. When the brain was made to overproduce CaMKII at the exact moment the mouse was prodded to retrieve the traumatic memory, the memory wasn't just blocked, it appeared to be fully erased."
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:5, Funny)
Perhaps its already happening and no one remembers?
There's really only one question to be asked. (Score:5, Funny)
When do I get my own flashy-little-memory-messer-upper-thing?
so now when us paranoids rant wbout your memories (Score:4, Funny)
being wiped by the cia, the nsa or homeland security, we've got the link to prove it.
ah, i feel vindicated. one of my paranoid thoughts is that people have their memories wiped of certain things they've done, knowing that science has reproduced it in mice means time travelers from the future could easily have been doing it for years now.
well, just as soon as the time machine gets proved to be possible. quantum physics is dangerously close to that with 'particles being everywhere all at once, until observed.' how can a quantum particle like a photon be everywhere all at once, until observed, unless time travel is also possible on the quantum level.
My Wife... (Score:5, Funny)
has the ability to selectively forget anything inconvenient!
Re:There's really only one question to be asked. (Score:5, Funny)
We gave you your session last week.
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:5, Funny)
Goatse (Score:5, Funny)
All memory of Goatse could be erased! That has to count for SOMETHING.
Re:Lots of potential uses (Score:2, Funny)
How abvout erasing the memory of the first time you had warm apple pie? Then, you get to try it for the first time every night.
I was thinking of something a little different... but whatever floats your boat, man.
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:4, Funny)
ethically underfunded governments
that about describes them all
Obligatory spoof transcript (Score:2, Funny)
[Mouse eats cheese]
Scientist: "Right, now forget about it completely."
[Waits 5 minutes]
Scientist: "Say, mouse, how was that oak-smoked camembert with chive and onion?"
Mouse: "Chive?"
Scientist: "Wow, it works."
You have never been to mars. (Score:2, Funny)
You do not want a vacation on mars. You want to stay here and keep doing Sharon Stone.
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:5, Funny)
No, it's not happening. That's insane. Besides, I'm sure there would be some after effects like brain damage.
No, it's not happening. That's insane. Besides, I'm sure there would be some after effects like brain damage.
No, it's not happening. That's insane. Besides, I'm sure there would be some after effects like brain damage.
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:5, Funny)
What did you just say?
Its not science... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Lots of potential uses (Score:3, Funny)
Ah, so you caught the allegory. It wasn't unintended.
I have my own flashy-memory-messer-upper-thingy (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Lots of potential uses (Score:5, Funny)
I could get excited about The Phantom Menace all over again!
Old tech (Score:3, Funny)
Nothing to see... (Score:3, Funny)
Brewers have been doing this for centuries.
Re:erase undesirable memories (Score:5, Funny)
Holly: I've just finished reading everything. I've now read everything that's been written by anyone ever.
...snip...
Lister: Would you go away?
Holly: You know what the worst book ever written by anyone ever was?
Lister: I don't care!
Holly: "Football, It's a Funny Old Game" by Kevin Keegan.
Holly: Well, only if you're not busy. Would you mind erasing some of my memory banks?
Lister: What for?
Holly: Well, if you erase all the Agatha Christie novels from my memory bank, I can read 'em again tonight.
Lister: How do I do it?
Holly: Just type, "Holmem. Password override. The novels Christie, Agatha." Then press erase.
Lister: I've done it.
Holly: Done what?
Lister: Erased Agatha Christie.
Holly: Who's she, then?
Lister: Holly, you just asked me to erase all Agatha Christie novels from your memory.
Holly: Why should I do that? I've never heard of her.
Lister: You've never heard of her because I've just erased her from your smegging memory.
Holly: What'd you do that for?
Lister: You asked me to!
Holly: When?
Lister: Just now!
Holly: I don't remember this.
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:4, Funny)
what did yooooooooo aaaa .... *drools over kybord having forgotten how to type*
Patrick Starfish, is that you?
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:5, Funny)
I can't remember anything anyway (Score:2, Funny)
This would be a waste on me. I couldn't remember anything for them to trace what to erase anyhow.
Heck, I can't even remember my login.
Re:Goatse (Score:3, Funny)
In theory, yes. But not in practice. See it should have been a learning experience about protecting yourself from shock sites. Those who forget anuses are doomed to repeat them.
Re:Used on /, already (Score:5, Funny)
Re:so now when us paranoids rant wbout your memori (Score:5, Funny)
You are the scariest person I've ever encountered on Slashdot, that is an achievement beyond all other achievements.
After reading your posts I see why people would want the option to have traumatic memories erased.
What a job. (Score:3, Funny)
RS
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:4, Funny)
BRING ON THE UNDER FUNDED UNETHICAL GOVERNMENTS!
Re:Used on /, already (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, but... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:4, Funny)
I see what you did there.
Re:Goatse (Score:1, Funny)
if satan is real i think that might be a good form of eternal torment. the endless rick roll, it cannot be stopped.
Re:Everlasting Sunlight of the Spot-Free Brain (Score:5, Funny)
"Shift."--you put the closing quote after the period.
Only if the phrase in quotes is a complete sentence. Of course, you could be illiterate or an American.