New Delhi: A study published in Nature Communications has unveiled that memory storage is not exclusive to the brain; other parts of the body may also have the ability to retain memory. This discovery could pave the way for innovative approaches to treating memory-related disorders.
The research, led by Nikolay V. Kukushkin from New York University, highlighted that cells outside the brain are capable of learning and forming memories. Kukushkin emphasized, “Other cells in the body can learn and form memories, too.” This revelation challenges the traditional belief that memory is solely a function of the brain.
The study demonstrated that non-brain cells can activate what is known as a “memory gene” when exposed to new information. Brain cells typically activate this gene when they detect a pattern, restructuring their connections to create and store memories. Remarkably, non-brain cells showed a similar response when exposed to information.
To better understand how non-brain cells process and store memory, the research team engineered these cells to produce a glowing protein that indicated whether the “memory gene” was active or inactive. This allowed them to track the learning and memory-forming processes within these cells.
The experiments revealed that non-brain cells could detect chemical pulses that mimicked bursts of neurotransmitters in the brain. The team observed that the response of these cells to spaced-out chemical pulses was more effective and prolonged than when the pulses were continuous. This finding parallels how the brain’s neurons respond more efficiently when learning occurs in spaced intervals rather than through intense, uninterrupted sessions.
The researchers noted that delivering the chemical pulses at spaced intervals activated the “memory gene” more robustly and sustained its activation longer compared to concentrated, rapid delivery. This phenomenon, known as spaced repetition, is known to enhance memory retention in the brain and was now observed in non-brain cells as well.
Kukushkin remarked that the study illustrates that the capability to learn from spaced repetition is not exclusive to brain cells. “It might be a fundamental property of all cells,” he stated. Beyond expanding understanding of memory mechanisms, this research suggests a potential shift in medical perspectives, advocating for treating the body with approaches similar to those used for the brain to improve overall health outcomes.
This discovery offers exciting new directions for both studying memory and developing treatments for cognitive and memory-related conditions, potentially leading to holistic strategies that leverage cellular memory across the body.