How Astrocytes Influence Memory Formation: Unlocking the Brain’s Secrets

Researchers at Tohoku University have found that astrocytes, brain cells surrounding neurons, influence memory retention. Manipulating the acidity of these cells affects how memories are stored. Acidification impairs long-term memory but does not impact short-term memory.

The study published in the journal GLIA used optogenetics. This method involved shining light on astrocytes within the amygdala, a region key to emotion and fear regulation. In experiments, mice received mild electric shocks to create fear memories. When astrocytes were acidified after the shock, mice could remember the fear temporarily but forgot it by the next day.

In another test, mice with alkalinized astrocytes retained fear memories even three weeks after the shock. This suggests astrocytes decide which memories are kept long-term, especially after trauma.

The researchers propose that short-term and long-term memories form through different processes rather than continuously. Professor Ko Matsui emphasized how this research could change understanding of memory formation and the influence of various factors—mental, social, or environmental—on memory storage.

Lead researcher Hiroki Yamao noted that astrocytes may play a crucial role in emotional memory processing. Future investigations aim to explore how astrocytes could help prevent the formation of traumatic memories. This research could lead to new therapies for disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by targeting memory formation.

Reference: “Astrocytic determinant of the fate of long-term memory” by Hiroki Yamao and Ko Matsui, GLIA, November 4, 2024. DOI: 10.1002/glia.24636.