'It's kind of the holy grail of what is memory': Neuroscientist Steve Ramirez studies the physical basis of memory in a quest to manipulate it
Steve Ramirez , a neuroscientist and author of "How to Change a Memory," tells editor Hannah Osborne about the science and ethics of memory manipulation, and the incredible power of our brains to recall our past.
In 2013, MIT scientists Steve Ramirez and Xu Liu made headlines by demonstrating their ability to implant false memories in mice using a technique called optogenetics. This method involves manipulating brain cell activity with light. By tagging specific cells in the hippocampus, a crucial memory center, with a protein that was only present during the formation of a fearful memory, the researchers were able to reactivate those cells in a later, safe environment.
The process worked flawlessly in four mice, but in the fifth, the mouse exhibited fear symptoms despite the absence of any real threat. Further examination revealed that the fifth mouse's hippocampus had a slightly different protein distribution, indicating the precise location where the memory was stored. This groundbreaking discovery, detailed in Ramirez's forthcoming book "How to Change a Memory," delves into the complex world of memory and its potential manipulation.
The book explores questions such as the nature of memory, its manipulation possibilities, and the implications for treating conditions like PTSD and dementia. Ramirez's personal experiences with loss, PTSD, and addiction serve as a foundation for his investigation, highlighting the potential therapeutic applications of memory manipulation.
The book has been nominated for the 2026 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize, acknowledging its significance in the field of memory research.
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