Research conducted by a research team from the Department of Neuroscience of the University of Turin could provide useful information for develop new therapeutic strategies for memory disorders. Forming memories of similar events is a real challenge for our brain. “It is essential that each event is stored separately to preserve its specificity. However, it is equally important to recognize and remember the commonalities between events. If this delicate process is compromised, people risk confusing one event with another, losing thus the clarity and specificity of one's memories”. This was found by a new study published in 'Cell Reports' which identified an intricate brain process that allows us to distinguish and memorize similar events separately, while maintaining similarities between them. The research was mainly conducted by researchers Giulia Concina, Luisella Milano and Annamaria Renna coordinated by Professor Benedetto Sacchetti of the Department of Neuroscience of the University of Turin.
The researchers studied brain activity during the learning of two distinct but common events, discovering that in the amygdala, a key brain region for the formation of memories, separate groups of neurons activate to memorize distinct events separately. “However, some neurons respond to both events, helping to remember the similarities. The number of these common neurons – underlines the study – is regulated by a particular type of cells called inhibitory neurons. By blocking these cells, the researchers noticed how the number of common neurons increased significantly causing the confusion and overlap of the two events. According to the researchers, in conclusion, the inhibitory neurons therefore contribute to maintaining distinct memories of similar events.”
The research was conducted adopting a multidisciplinary approach that integrated behavioral analysis methodologies, molecular biology, high-resolution microscopy and modulation of brain activity. In particular, thanks to the use of the innovative technique of 'chemogenetic labeling', the researchers were able to visualize the neurons involved in the perception of both the distinctive aspects of two events and their common characteristics. This analysis also allowed us to identify the cells capable of limiting the number of shared neurons, i.e. the inhibitory neurons. Finally, by combining techniques of chemogenetic labeling and inactivation of neuronal activity, the researchers selectively blocked these cells, noting that this led the subjects to confuse events with each other.
“This research – explains Sacchetti – is of significant importance since it highlights the existence of neurons whose role is to keep separate the memories of distinct events but with aspects in common, thus allowing the memories of such events to be preserved in precise and clear way. Considering that one of the typical characteristics of memory disorders, such as dementia and post-traumatic stress disorder, is the tendency to confuse past events, this research could provide new information useful for developing new therapeutic strategies.” .
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