Body Cells Possess Memory capabilities, New Research Reveals
NEW YORK, NY – In a groundbreaking revelation challenging conventional understanding of memory, scientists at New York University have demonstrated that cells throughout teh body, not just neurons in the brain, are capable of “learning” and forming lasting memories. The research,published today in Nature Communications,reveals that the timing of chemical signals delivered to cells plays a critical role in triggering and sustaining gene activation – a process mirroring how memories are formed.
For decades, memory has been largely attributed to the complex workings of the brain. However, this new study shows that basic hallmarks of learning emerge from the timing-dependent dynamics of signaling networks present in many cell types. Researchers found that four short, properly spaced chemical pulses resulted in stronger and more durable gene activation in human cells compared to a single, longer pulse.
This “spacing effect” correlates with increased and prolonged activation of ERK and CREB, molecular components already known to be vital for memory formation in neurons. Blocking either ERK or CREB eliminated the benefits of spaced signaling.
“Learning and memory are generally associated with brains and brain cells alone, but our study shows that other cells in the body can learn and form memories, too,” explains Nikolay V. Kukushkin, lead author of the study.
The findings have significant implications for a range of fields. Beyond refining our understanding of memory itself, the research suggests potential for optimizing drug-dosing schedules – delivering smaller doses in pulses could yield more effective gene responses than a single large dose. It also opens avenues for exploring ”cellular cognition” as a broader biological principle and building more accurate models of memory processes.
The study utilized immortalized human cell lines,engineered “reporters,” and controlled stimuli. While acknowledging the limitations of these controlled experiments compared to the complexity of real tissues, researchers emphasize that the results clearly demonstrate spacing rules operating within single cells, isolating the mechanisms responsible for timing-dependent responses. Future research will focus on testing different intervals, pulse numbers, and combinations of pathways in primary cells and organoids to further validate these findings.
