Scientists find way to block fearful memories
Julie Steenhuysen
Jack Axelrood
Scientists have been testing drug free ways to block fearful memories. They have only tested on rats. "Old memories can be changed or reconsolidated, but only during a specific window time after the rat is reminded of the fearful memory." They can change the rats memories for a short period of time after the rat remembers the fearful memory. This is a break through for people with post traumatic stress disorder. If this works as well as it does for rats on humans, it could really help people console with their condition.
In class, we have been talking about people's rights, especially with immigrants. Post traumatic stress disorder especially effects soldiers/veterans. People have the right to fight for our country and some traumatic, life changing sights are witnessed by these soldiers. Now that scientists have created this drug free way to get rid of such memories, veterans lives can be lived without the recurring memory that tortures them at times. This breakthrough will make hundred of thousands of american hero's lives better. They fought for our country so its the least we can do to have the rest of their lives be peaceful and safe.
1. Who would this discovery effect the most?
2. Will this make peoples lives much better?
3. Do you think this will actually work on humans?
1. This discovery would effect people with post traumatic stress disorder the most. This especially includes veterans because of all the memories they have from war.
2. Yes, it could make people live their lives without the horrible memory that may make them have depression or other horrible effects.
3. Yes, these scientists have been working hard and comparing their results to the minds of humans and believe this will work just as effectively on humans as it does on rats.http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_fear_memory;_ylt=AkhyG3WWZ_3eE4llXH9mX.as0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNpaWJmNjExBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMDkxMjA5L3VzX2ZlYXJfbWVtb3J5BGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDOARwb3MDNQRwdANob21lX2Nva2UEc2VjA3luX2hlYWRsaW5lX2xpc3QEc2xrA3NjaWVudGlzdHNmaQ--
Comments (7)
Aidan W. said
at 2:25 pm on Dec 11, 2009
It is and is not a good a idea for those who were affected by war for some it strengthens them and for others it destroys them it all depends on who its being used for say if a man went in the field all of his greatest friends and he was the only one who came out alive. there were those who fought alone made no acquaintances and fought solely for his pride for himself and for his country. this could go well or down the toilet for when it comes to medicine and science its a game of Russian roulette. this could work on humans or it could horribly deform and possible send a person into spiraling and eternal depression because it's teetering with the human brain.
Nicolas f said
at 2:31 pm on Dec 11, 2009
i think this would be too dangerous to do on humans because its a one chance thing if we give to large a dose then huge portions of memory can be erased not only that but how do we know what memory will be erased what if they erased the memory of how you learned to do fractions or one of those memories that when you think back on it you forget the wrongs in your life and continue persevering also most drugs have side effects that arent to pleasant
Adrian T. said
at 3:03 pm on Dec 12, 2009
1) This discovery would effect veterans the most, since the things they may have experienced during war may haunt them. Memories of a friend dying beside them or being held hostage may cling to them forever.
2) A drug-free method to block fearful memories could potentially improve people's self-esteem.People won't feel guilty or depressed about mistakes or crimes they've committed in the past.
3) I believe this could partially work on humans. Maybe the bulk of a event or time in life could be blocked, but I believe their will be residual memories left behind. And then that could spark past thoughts and feelings right back. So I think this would be able to work, but only temporarily.
Jackson H. said
at 10:04 am on Dec 13, 2009
THis could help a lot of people. iIt could be used by any sort of victim or soldier or just anyone who has a horrible memory that they want to get rid of. I think it could absolutly help peoples lives greatly. A lt of times one horrible memory could turn into post traumatic stress disorder or severe depression. This new technique could stop that from happening. I do think it will work on humans, but the only problem is that there's a big risk becaouse you might damage a memory that you don't want to.
Zalman G said
at 3:40 pm on Dec 13, 2009
1. This helps a wide variety of people. Like you said, it would really help soldiers and people in the military. It can also help people who have seen awful things such as people die right in front of them, as well as kids whose parents had a very terrible divorce.
2. This will greatly help the aforementioned people because they wouldn't have nearly the amount of trauma or whatever they were feeling.
3. There is no true answer until it is tested on humans. I don't think we'll know the answer because as of yet it seems really risky for us. Using information form the past (I'm not sure if this is a precedent), it does seem feasible for real-life.
Quinn R said
at 7:10 am on Dec 14, 2009
1 I think it will affect veterens.
2 this will improve lives.
3 But i dont think it will work
Sean P said
at 3:15 pm on Dec 14, 2009
1) i think that this could help soldiers that have returned from iraq or afghanastan
2) I think that this could help the lives of people suffering from post traumatic stress
3) i think that this will work on humans because many other tests done on mice have worked for humans
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