In the latest episode of the Science Weekly podcast, Madeleine Finlay speaks with Steve Ramirez, an associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, about the remarkable progress scientists have made in manipulating memories. His book, How to Change a Memory, has been shortlisted for this year’s Royal Society Trivedi science book prize.
Locating and Triggering Memories in Rodents
Ramirez explains that researchers have successfully located specific memories in the brains of rodents. These memories can be artificially triggered, and in some cases, even removed entirely. The work demonstrates the extraordinary precision with which modern neuroscience can now intervene in the brain’s storage and recall systems.
Future Applications for Humans
While the experiments have so far been conducted on animals, Ramirez discusses what the practical applications of this science could one day mean for humans. The potential implications range from treating trauma to altering the emotional weight of past experiences.
The full conversation is available on the Science Weekly podcast. How to Change a Memory can be ordered from the Guardian bookshop.
