Scientists discover an over expression of the gene NR2B makes a smarter rat.
From mice to men, the idea of enhancing the brains ability to learn and remember has been a topic of science fiction from Flowers for Algernon to John Travolta in Phenomenon. Once pure fantasy, step by step, species by species- scientists are coming closer to understanding the way memories are formed and what they can do to manipulate them.
About ten years ago researchers from the Medical College of Georgia and East China Normal University genetically successfully altered the memory of the mouse named “Doogie,” named after the character Doogie Houser MD, to have a superior memory capabilities than normal mice of its species. Dr. Joe Z. Tsien, co-director of the MCG Brain & Behavior Discovery Institute, explained in Science Daily that “NR2B is a subunit of NMBA receptors, which are like small pores on brain cells that let in electrically-charged ions that increase the activity and communication of neurons.” NR2B is the juvenile form of NR2A. NR2B essentially keeps the communication between the brain and the cells open for milliseconds longer than the adult form which is enough to significantly enhance the formation of memory. Recently, Dr. Tsien has duplicated these findings in a rat named Hobbie-J.
Tsien increased the production of NR2B by “making them over-express CaMKII, an abundant protein that works as a promoter and signaling molecule for the NMDA receptor.” While this procedure might be too basic for the much more complex human brain, Tsien is dedicated to seeing how far this process can go, from other small mammals up to dogs. He is also interested in studying the effects of Magnesium ion in larger mammals, which he thinks blocks “entry to the NMDA receptor so more magnesium forces the brain cell to increase expression levels of the more efficient NR2B to compensate.” He believes Magnesium may be the gateway to memory enhancement in humans, which would be a unprecedented finding in neuroscience. Currently the major neuroenhancer is stimulants, such as Modafinil, which have no actual effect on the formation of memories but only on energy and motivation.
Much like memory removal, memory enhancement is still both a long ways away from being practiced in humans and a very touchy ethical issue. Memory enhancement has its obvious therapeutic roles, such as treating Alzheimer patients, but also delves unnatural levels of human cognition which would give clear performance enhancing attributes in almost every field.
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