Up front:The researchers conditioned laboratory mice by simultaneously shocking them and making a clicking noise.
The mice naturally associated the sound with the shock and, thus, developed a fear response.
Because the mice remembered being shocked, they associated the noise with discomfort.
Background:Previous research on inducing amnesia in laboratory rats has shown that propranolol was effective.
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If this protein is degraded, then memories become modifiable.
A bit deeper:The researchers now know why propranolol doesnt always work.
Like all great research, this study answers some questions but asks even more.
The important thing is that, with further research, these findings could have huge implications for humans.
The researchers are quick to point out that this isnt the stuff of science fiction.
Its unlikely youll be able to go fullMen In Blackand zap someones memory in a targeted manner.
Quick take:We dont know much about how organic memory works.
This could lead to chemical treatments to effectively cure emotional trauma.
As far as we can tell, however, the team hasnt released a research paper.
The research is currently tagged as non peer reviewed on EurekAlert.
That doesnt mean it isnt a strong study (this is Cambridge were talking about).
But it does mean we should take it all with a grain of salt until peer-review replicates the findings.
