Date: 14/10/2014 07:09:43
From: Carmen_Sandiego
ID: 609211
Subject: Manipulating memories with light
http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=11053
Wiltgen and Tanaka used mice genetically modified so that when nerve cells are activated, they both fluoresce green and express a protein that allows the cells to be switched off by light. They were therefore able both to follow exactly which nerve cells in the cortex and hippocampus were activated in learning and memory retrieval, and switch them off with light directed through a fiber-optic cable.
Not as dramatic as it sounds, but still a great tool in working out how the brain operates.
Nice work.