Memory Molecule Identified

Reader Ostracus informs us of research led by Michael Ehlers of Duke University that has identified a molecule, myosin Vb (five-b), that seems to be a critical component in the formation of memory. "A major puzzle for neurobiologists is how the brain can modify one... synapse at a time in a brain cell and not affect the thousands of other connections nearby. Plasticity, the ability of the brain to precisely rearrange the connections between its nerve cells, is the framework for learning and forming memories ... The discovery of a molecule that moves new receptors to the synapse so that the neuron... can respond more strongly helps to explain several observations about [brain] plasticity ... [The researchers] found that the myosin Vb molecule in hippocampal neurons responded to a flow of calcium ions from the synaptic space by popping up and into action. One end of the myosin is attached to meshlike actin filaments so it can 'walk' to the end of the nerve cells where receptors are. On its other end, it tows an endosome, a packet that contains new receptors. 'These endosomes are like little memories waiting to happen,' Ehlers said."

Re:Sound rough

[MrMr]

Perhaps it is a piece of research that will not result in a product that somebody can sell at a huge profit, but will only increase our understanding of the world a little.
Or is that too silly to consider?

Re:Problems with the headline

[Compuser]

Myosin V is a major motor which hauls all kinds of stuff. Calling it a memory molecule is like calling a Volvo truck the food truck. Yes, it might be used to deliver food sometimes but it is much more than that.

Re:Sound rough

[nih]

Perhaps it is a piece of research that will not result in a product that somebody can sell at a huge profit, but will only increase our understanding of the world a little. Or is that too silly to consider?

DMCA takedown notice: You have one day to remove your comment since this infringes on my newly acquired patent no: 3,778,214

Re:The further this research goes...

[Thiez]

> 20, 50, 100 years of happenings, memories.. All erased, with none ever being recoverable.

Let's be honest, there are a lot of memories that are not important to anyone but the one who remembers them. When I die nobody will know which pair of socks I liked best, but the loss of this knowledge is hardly a loss for the human race. Even if I were write down the things about my life that I consider to be the most important in an autobiography, how many people would read it? Humanity is not interested in the thoughts and memories of random people.

Write down the few happenings and memories that were relevant for (a large part of) the human race. The rest can be forgotten.

> That is a horrible thing that needs to be stopped at all costs, unless the person willfully chooses to do so.

I don't like people who are willing to accomplish some goal 'at all costs'.

It's not tragic at all?

[tjstork]

Death is a part of the natural renewal of things. It is a short life span and the continual and restarting of youth that allows humanity to not only change its education but its social attitudes.

Mourn the ones we lose, for sure, but ultimately, death is necessary. Without death, young people could never remake the world with each generation, and we'd be stuck forever with the weirdness of the old. Sometimes we old people, instead of clinging to life, just need accept that we're going to die.

Re:It's not tragic at all?

[Roxton]

If that's your concern, couldn't we just adopt a social system where we get less relevant as we age? Killing off the elderly is a pretty fucking ham-handed solution.

Unless you're just trying to rationalize the inevitable, in which case your sentiment is total garbage.