新奇事件簿 科學家發(fā)現(xiàn)消除不愉快記憶的基因
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found the gene that could help people forget traumatic experiences. They say the research could benefit people with painful memories. Soldiers, crime victims and people who survived natural disasters are some of the people this research could help. Many of these people suffer from very bad stress because of their memories. It is an illness called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The scientists found the memory gene in mice. They hope that one day they can erase painful memories in humans. They think they can replace upsetting memories with more positive thoughts and feelings. This would help millions of people who suffer from PTSD.
來自麻省理工學院的研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)了幫助人們忘記創(chuàng)傷性經(jīng)歷的基因。他們表示，研究將幫助那些有痛苦記憶的人們。士兵，犯罪受害人和經(jīng)歷過自然災害的人都會從中受益。這些人都由于糟糕的記憶遭受著非常大的壓力。這種疾病叫做創(chuàng)傷后應激障礙(PTSD)?？茖W家在老鼠體內(nèi)發(fā)現(xiàn)了這種記憶基因。他們希望有一天可以消除人類的痛苦記憶。他們認為可以用一些積極的想法和感受代替悲傷的記憶。這樣可以幫助數(shù)百萬患有PTSD的人。
The head researcher, Li-Huei Tsai, did many tests to make mice forget their fear. Scientists put the mice into a cage and gave them a small electric shock. After many shocks, the mice became afraid of the cage. They were stressed when they saw it. Once the mice had "cage shock," the scientists put the mice in the cage again but didn't give them an electric shock. After a period of time, the mice no longer feared the cage. Positive feelings replaced their stress and fear. The scientists looked at the brain activity when the mice were afraid and when they were not afraid. They were surprised to find the gene that replaced old memories with new ones. They will now try to find this gene in humans.
首席研究人員Li-Huei Tsai進行了許多測試來讓老鼠忘記它們的恐懼?？茖W家將老鼠放進一個籠子里，對他們進行電擊。多次電擊后，老鼠變得害怕籠子。它們看到籠子就會緊張。一旦老鼠對籠子電擊產(chǎn)生害怕情緒之后，研究人員又把老鼠關進籠子里，但是不進行電擊。經(jīng)過一段時間，老鼠就不再害怕籠子。積極的感受代替了壓力和恐懼?？茖W家觀察了老鼠害怕時和不害怕時的大腦活動。他們很驚訝地發(fā)現(xiàn)了能夠用新記憶取代舊記憶的基因。他們現(xiàn)在正努力在人體內(nèi)尋找類似的基因。
