Neuroscientists create memories in the lab

Although it sounds like a story from a science fiction movie, according to a report published by Science Daily, Case Western Reserve University neuroscientists have managed to create artificial memories in in vitro- maintained brains for the first time in history.

According to the publication, the researchers used laboratory-maintained rat brain tissue to develop the circuits needed to store two types of short-term memories, related to such things as names, events, and places.

In vitro brain

During the tests, in which scientists observed the activity of an isolated brain region during the processing of memories generated by artificial stimuli, the brain tissue of rats was able to retain information for approximately 10 seconds and was even able to recall different sequences of events.

With the study, the researchers hope to better understand how the process of short-term memory formation works and to identify the brain structures involved, and perhaps help develop new treatments for disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Sources: Nature and Science Daily