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Turning Memories On/Off With the Flip of a Switch

Posted by samzenpus on from the mice-in-black dept.

cylonlover writes "Using electrical probes embedded into the brains of rats, scientists have managed to replicate the brain function associated with long-term behavior and found a way to literally turn memories on and off with the flip of a switch. The scientists hope their research will eventually lead to a neural prosthesis to help people suffering Alzheimer's disease, the effects of stroke or other brain injury to recover long-term memory capability."

1 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Erasure by Culture20 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Was anyone else's immediate thought ERASING memories rather than preserving them?

    Yes, in fact it was used on samzenpus: http://science.slashdot.org/story/11/06/17/2058214/Researchers-Design-Memory-Strengthening-Implant