# Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mouse: scientists can now erase memories in mice

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mouse-scientists-can-now-erase-memories-in-mice/469864>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [October 27, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mouse-scientists-can-now-erase-memories-in-mice/469864 "2008-10-27T23:51:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mouse-scientists-can-now-erase-memories-in-mice/469864/1 "2008-10-27T23:51:18Z")

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[QUOTE=cbc.ca]  
In a finding worthy of a science fiction novel, U.S. scientists reported they could selectively erase specific memories in mice without affecting recall of other events.

Research published in the journal Neuron found that the manipulation of a type of protein in the brain can wipe out certain memories in the brains of mice.

The study elicited memory loss by manipulating the activity of a protein called alpha-CaM kinase II, which is involved in learning and memory.  
[/QUOTE]

[Link.](http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/10/24/mouse-memory.html?ref=rss)

Joel: Is there any risk of brain damage?  
Howard: Well, technically speaking, the operation is brain damage, but it’s on a par with a night of heavy drinking. Nothing you’ll miss.

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**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mouse-scientists-can-now-erase-memories-in-mice/469864/2 "2008-10-27T23:57:35Z")

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That’s a trip. Time to get the Lacuna Inc. website up and running!

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**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mouse-scientists-can-now-erase-memories-in-mice/469864/3 "2008-10-28T01:08:35Z")

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> [@kasuo](#):
>
> That’s a trip. Time to get the Lacuna Inc. website up and running!

[George Harrison] [Eh, its been done.](http://www.lacunainc.com/) [/GH]

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**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mouse-scientists-can-now-erase-memories-in-mice/469864/4 "2008-10-28T11:45:59Z")

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Responses:  
—So what’s a mouse got to remember?  
– It’s like **Flowers for Algernon** , without that annoying first part  
–Who moved my cheese?