In an exciting breakthrough, scientists have discovered a way to stop stressed cells from sequestering a protein that is essential for forming long-term memories. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, could pave the way for new treatments to help those suffering from memory disorders.

The research team, led by Dr. Mariana Gomes from the Weizmann Institute of Science, focused on a protein called Arc, which is essential for forming long-term memories. Under normal circumstances, Arc is produced in the hippocampus and moves to synapses, the connections between brain cells, where it helps form memories. But in times of stress, cells start to sequester the protein, preventing it from doing its job.

Until now, scientists have been unable to stop this process from happening. But the team’s new findings show that by using a specific enzyme, they can inhibit the cells from sequestering Arc, leading to improved memory formation.

This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, giving patients the opportunity to form new memories and improve their quality of life. The team is now working to develop drugs to target this process and start clinical trials in the near future.

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source: Phys.org