About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Science Behind Brain Storing Bad Experiences Revealed

by Kalyani Thivakaran on December 14, 2014 at 9:40 PM
Font : A-A+

 Science Behind Brain Storing Bad Experiences Revealed

Study on the brain's transformation of bad experiences into long-lasting and unpleasant memories has provided a deeper insight into the whole experience.

Scientists from New York University and Japan's RIKEN Brain Science Institute identified the brain mechanisms responsible of translating unpleasant experiences into long-lasting memories that are critical for survival.

Advertisement

This was achieved, they find, by changing the strength by which neurons are connected in the amygdale, the part of the brain involved in the formation of emotional memories.

The study, which also included Joshua Johansen, who directs the RIKEN Brain Science Institute's Laboratory for Neural Circuitry of Memory, and Lorenzo Diaz-Mataix, a post-doctoral fellow in NYU's Center for Neural Science, tested an influential theory proposed in 1949 by the Canadian psychologist Donald Hebb.
Advertisement

Hebb's theory posits that neurons that are connected and fire electrical impulses at the same time increase the strength of their connections and, by doing so, lay the basis for memory formation.

A great deal of work in reduced brain preparations has demonstrated that this type of Hebbian plasticity could indeed increase the connectional strength between neurons.

In the latest research scientists found that preventing the electrical activity resulted in impaired memory for the aversive event that was reflected in the lack of learning induced strengthening of the connections between neurons in the amygdala. This finding provided direct support for the Hebbian hypothesis.

However, when they eliminated the shock and replaced it by pairing the auditory stimulus with direct laser excitation of the amygdala cells, no learning occurred.

Surprisingly, learning did occur when the receptors for noradrenaline, a brain molecule that was important for attention, were activated at the same time as the laser was on. This demonstrated that while Hebbian mechanisms are important, they are not sufficient by themselves. Rather, the participation of tiny molecules called neuromodulators seems to be required.

Joseph LeDoux, a professor in NYU's Center for Neural Science, said that understanding how aversive memories are formed was particularly relevant to anxiety disorders in which chemicals like norepinephrine are known to contribute to hyperarousal and might mark memories especially strongly.

The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).



Source: ANI
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Mental Health News

Shattering the Stigma: Evolving Landscape of Mental Health Support in the Workplace
Recently, a noteworthy transformation has occurred, with 81 percent of workplaces now placing increased emphasis on employee mental health.
Paradox of Intelligence and Thinking Speed
Individuals with higher intelligence scores demonstrated faster thinking exclusively in simple tasks, while they encountered longer solving times for complex problems.
Sleep Apnea Associated With Smaller Brain Volume, Study Finds
Individuals who have abnormal protein deposits in their brains and also experience more severe sleep apnea are more likely to have smaller volumes in a specific area of the brain.
Understanding the Role of Vulnerable Friends: An Interview With Xingna Qin and Ping Ren
Researchers examined the impact of having vulnerable friends on victimized and depressed adolescents, in a recently published study in Child Development.
Research Finds More Depressed Individuals With Activated Immune Systems Than Expected
A recent research suggests that the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with activated immune systems may surpass prior estimates.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Science Behind Brain Storing Bad Experiences Revealed Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests