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Memories of Fear Could Be Permanently Erased, Study Shows (theguardian.com)
A new study unpicks why certain sounds can stir alarming memories, and reveals a new approach to wiping such memories from the brain. The Guardian reports: Published in the journal Neuron by Cho and his colleague Woong Bin Kim, the research reveals how the team used genetically modified mice to examine the pathways between the area of the brain involved in processing a particular sound and the area involved in emotional memories, known as the amygdala. In the first part of the experiment the team played both a high pitched and low-pitched tone to mice. But, when the high-pitched sound was played, the researchers also gave the mice a small electric shock to their feet. When the high-pitched tone was subsequently played on its own, the mice froze in fear; no such response was seen when the alternative, low-pitched, tone was played. The team then looked to see if there were differences between the high-pitch and low-pitch tone pathways in the brains of the mice, revealing that, among the mice exposed electric shocks, the connections within the "high-pitched" pathway had become stronger, while the other pathway remained unchanged. The team found that when mice were subsequently repeatedly exposed to high-pitched sounds without the shocks they lost their fear -- a process known as fear extinction.
But the team discovered that using a technique called optogenetics, it was possible to truly erase the unpleasant memories. This technique involved the researchers using a virus to introduce genes into particular neurons in the brains of the mice that were involved in the "high-pitch" pathways. Once inside the cells, the genes result in the production of proteins which respond to light, allowing researchers to control the activity of the neurons. Taking mice with the fearful memories, the team exposed the neurons involved in the "high-pitch" pathway to low-frequency light -- an approach which weakens the connections between the neurons. The upshot was that the mice no longer appeared fearful when they heard the high-pitched tone.
But the team discovered that using a technique called optogenetics, it was possible to truly erase the unpleasant memories. This technique involved the researchers using a virus to introduce genes into particular neurons in the brains of the mice that were involved in the "high-pitch" pathways. Once inside the cells, the genes result in the production of proteins which respond to light, allowing researchers to control the activity of the neurons. Taking mice with the fearful memories, the team exposed the neurons involved in the "high-pitch" pathway to low-frequency light -- an approach which weakens the connections between the neurons. The upshot was that the mice no longer appeared fearful when they heard the high-pitched tone.
my fear of high pitched tones can finally be cured. Callas need ho longer terrify me.
Nullius in verba
I accidentally stumbled on an episode of Girls and saw Lena Dunham naked. Wipe all my memories if you have to! Just get me out of this living nightmare!
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
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Now the Muslims don't have to stop attacking us and the ruling elite doesn't have to stop taking power away from us.
All that is needed is some viruses and scientists shining light into our brains and they can both just continue as they do.
I used to be afraid of President Trump, now I just laugh at him.
Kill some brain cells, same as a frontal lobotomy.
Now they can just erase all of your racism. Coming soon to the new pixel. If you're offended just press undo.
The military applications sure are interesting. Any country could easily form their own suicide corps. Take inmates, remove their fear of death, instill a fear of disobedience, then program them for the one and only mission, and let 'er rip! You could also replace a kidney with an explosive or a can of nerve gas while you are at it. Set it to blow as soon as the carrier's heart stops, and give them a cyanide tooth.
I think, maybe I read too much.
Why would you want this? It seems like a good way for someone to seriously injure themselves or other people.
How do we know that the mice didn't just become deaf?
Suddenly electric shock became the least of their problems after they had their skulls cracked open and brains exposed to low frequency light.
What if you're afraid of quiet stuff?
What if they just end up experiencing various terrors-of-the-soul afresh?
If this method of genetic modification to a negative fear response is possible, can a previously non-existent or low-level fear be amplified? How about other areas of the brain controlling other factors like emotion, cognition, etc? Submissiveness? Critical-thinking ability? Tendency to join group-think?
Lots of Dystopian possibilities, especially since it is accomplished through a virus, which would seem to lend itself to wide & rapid dissemination. How difficult would it be for terrorists or a rogue nation to acquire the capabilities?
Not sure the answers to many of these questions are going to help me sleep better at night.
Strat
Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
Like we don't have enough already. Now we can zap their memories and the psychiatrists will put them back on the streets to entertain the press further.
Is it a magical place?
...but after visiting the ministry of thought i don't remember why...
Before we go that far, almost everyone here needs to get rid of the memories of tubgirl and goatse.cx. And the h - o - s - t - s - - f - i - l - e guy. How about that first?
"Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
The mice are bound to take over.
I tend to rant.
I fear ! Memories of Fear Could Be Permanently Erased!!!
There was fear only the fear of fear itself.
Now! Fear Memories Erased! Fear!
More better bigger stronger fear.
Hidding on yo jammies waiting to prounce.
What are the risks??
If I recall that when I touched a hot stove, it burned and hurt that makes me want to avoid doing it again in the future. We are animals. Everything we think, do, etc. has a survival motive even fear. I seriously doubt that scientists will discover a way to make us into a better evolutionary hot mess. It's more likely they will cause more harm than good by trying.
We'll make great pets