Scientists have managed to genetically modify mice so that they have super-long memories, an achievement that could lead to the development of new drugs to prevent memory loss in patients. The mice were bred with a gene that blocks the function of calcineurin, a signalling protein found in the brain. Calcineurin is thought to speed up the rate at which electrical signals in the brain fade, therefore the messages carried by these signals are only stored for short periods. By blocking calcineurin, the electrical signals fade at a slower rate and the information is retained for a longer period of time. Scientists believe the results of the study demonstrate that restoring the memory of patients with dementia or brain damage will be possible in the near future.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.thetimes.co.uk on the 12th March 2001
