In a groundbreaking study, scientists have discovered that memory functions may extend beyond the brain to other cells in the body, offering new insights into how memory is formed and retained. Researchers at New York University, led by Professor Nikolay V. Kukushkin, found that even kidney cells could activate memory-related genes—typically associated with brain cells—when exposed to specific chemical signals.
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The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrated that engineered kidney cells could exhibit memory responses akin to neurons. By mimicking the brain’s neurotransmitter bursts with chemical pulses, these cells showed memory-like behavior, confirming that memory mechanisms might be universal across different cell types.
This revelation challenges the traditional view that memory is confined to the brain and opens up the possibility for revolutionary medical treatments. Professor Kukushkin suggests that these findings could pave the way for new therapies, treating cells as “mini-brains” to enhance treatments for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and more by leveraging cells’ potential to form memory-like functions.
