Hope for PTSD cure by erasing bad memories

SOLDIERS could be cured of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by erasing memories of disturbing events, scientists believe.

Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered that individual memories are encoded in just a few cells of the brain, and hope they will be able to switch them off using drugs.

Figures from the Ministry of Defence show that around 400 soldiers a year report symptoms of PTSD and, in Professor in the Department of Physiology. “Our findings suggest that one day it could be possible to treat people with PTSD by erasing these traumatic memories. In these people, the memories are intrusive and disrupt their lives.

“Our goal would be to find a pharmacological way to target and inactivate just these neurons, like a heat seeking missile-like drug.”

Memories are stored in small networks of cells called “engrams” and scientists discovered they could turn off memories by surgically removing engrams in mice.

The process is similar to that portrayed in the Kate Winslet film,

in which characters have memories of bad relationships removed at a clinic.

In real life, Dr Josselyn said memories would only be removed when they interfered with mental health.

She added: “We all learn from our mistakes. If we erase the memory of our mistakes, what is to keep us from repeating them?

“Our studies provide a proof-of-principle. However, our society needs to develop ethical policies around this.”

British experts also expressed concern. Professor Sir Simon Wessely, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “This is an interesting advance but we need to be cautious.”

Dr Josselyn was speaking at the AAAS annual science meeting in Boston.