Photo credit: arstechnica.com
As we navigate through life, many people find that their childhood memories fade over time, especially those from before the age of four. This widespread phenomenon, known as “infantile amnesia,” results in individuals having little to no recollection of their early years. Interestingly, this memory gap is not unique to humans; similar patterns have been observed across various mammals.
Traditionally, the prevailing theory posits that the brain regions responsible for long-term memory formation in young children are underdeveloped, rendering them ineffective until around the age of four. However, a new study involving mice presents a more nuanced understanding: while memories from their infancy may not be consciously retrievable, they can be re-engaged under certain conditions. Further supporting this idea, research using MRI technology on human infants indicates that memory processes may indeed begin as early as one year of age, implying that findings from animal studies could hold relevance for human memory formation.
The Mechanics of Memory Recall
Among the various mammals that exhibit infantile amnesia, mice have been extensively studied, allowing scientists to utilize advanced genetic techniques to better understand the absence of early memories.
A recent study published last year outlines a series of experiments where young mice were conditioned to associate a specific light with a mild electric shock. Typically, without any intervention, these mice would later demonstrate a loss of this learned association, reflective of infantile amnesia.
In a breakthrough approach, researchers manipulated neural activity to trigger the expression of a particular gene linked to the encoding of a protein capable of altering DNA. This gene was engineered in a way that once activated, it induces permanent modifications in another specific gene within the mouse’s genetic structure. This process enabled the production of a light-controlled ion channel, paving the way for potential reactivation of previously forgotten memories.
Source
arstechnica.com