Scientists from UCLA and Columbia University have discovered that a small region in the brain, known as the locus coeruleus, acts like a “memory reset button” during meaningful changes. This finding could open new avenues for research into PTSD, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and healthy aging.
“Our key question was: as an experience unfolds, how does the brain ‘know’ when one meaningful memory has ended and the next should begin?” said UCLA psychology professor David Clewett. The study showed that this tiny region is most active at event boundaries when memories become separated.
Clewett and his colleagues conducted experiments with 32 volunteers using MRI scanners to observe how context changes influence memory formation. They found that activation of the locus coeruleus at event boundaries predicted later memory separation.
Lila Davachi from Columbia University noted that “the locus coeruleus may provide the critical ‘start’ signal to the hippocampus,” which helps map our experiences. This discovery highlights its role in directing attention to new experiences and suggests it might be a target for interventions to restore memory function.
The study also examined how stress affects this process. Chronic stress can make the locus coeruleus overactive, disrupting its ability to help form distinct memories. Clewett explained that “under chronic stress, this system becomes overactive,” likening it to living with a constant fire alarm.
The researchers suggest potential ways to quiet an overactive locus coeruleus through pharmacological means or simple methods like slow-paced breathing or hand-squeezed stress balls. However, they emphasize that further research is needed for long-term solutions.
Clewett highlighted the importance of federal funding for such research: “Conducting basic science and clinical research is critical for opening new doors for treating debilitating disorders.”
This study’s findings underscore the significance of understanding how our brains form memories and may lead to better treatments for memory-related disorders.
