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{{short description|Historically proposed biological process}} |
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'''Memory RNA''' is a debunked form of [[RNA]] that was proposed by [[James V. McConnell]] and others in the 1960s as a means of explaining how long-term [[memory|memories]] are stored in the [[brain]]. The concept behind it was that since RNA encoded information, and since living cells could produce and modify RNA in reaction to external events, it might also be used in [[neuron]]s to record stimuli.<ref name="Kentridge">{{cite web |author=Bob Kentridge |title=Investigations of the cellular bases of memory |url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/robert.kentridge/bpp2mem1.html |accessdate=2011-03-03 |publisher=[[University of Durham]]}}</ref> |
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'''Memory transfer''' was a biological process proposed by [[James V. McConnell]] and others in the 1960s. Memory transfer proposes a chemical basis for [[memory]] termed '''memory [[RNA]]''' which can be [[Heredity|passed down]] through flesh instead of an intact nervous system. Since RNA encodes information<ref name="Reckoning"/> living cells produce and modify RNA in reaction to external events, it might also be used in [[neuron]]s to record stimuli.<ref name="Kentridge">{{cite web |author=Bob Kentridge |title=Investigations of the cellular bases of memory |url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/robert.kentridge/bpp2mem1.html |accessdate=2011-03-03 |publisher=[[University of Durham]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015043719/http://www.dur.ac.uk/robert.kentridge/bpp2mem1.html |archive-date=2012-10-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/memory-transferred-between-snails-challenging-standard-theory-of-how-the-brain-remembers/|title=Memory Transferred between Snails, Challenging Standard Theory of How the Brain Remembers|last=McFarling,STAT|first=Usha Lee|website=Scientific American|language=en|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44111476|title='Memory transplant' achieved in snails|last=Dave|first=Shivani|date=2018-05-14|access-date=2019-03-10|language=en-GB}}</ref> This explained the results of McConnell's experiments in which [[planarian]]s retained memory of [[Learning|acquired information]] after [[Planarian#Regeneration|regeneration]]. Memory transfer through memory RNA is not currently a well-accepted explanation and McConnell's experiments proved to be largely [[irreproducible]].<ref name="TMTA"/> |
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In McConnell's experiments, he [[Classical conditioning|classically conditioned]] planarians to contract their bodies upon exposure to light by pairing it with an electric shock.<ref name="POLCT"/><ref name="TMTA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/06/memory-transfer|access-date=2021-02-05|website=www.apa.org|title=The memory-transfer episode}}</ref> The planarians retained this acquired information after being sliced and [[Planarian#Regeneration|regenerated]], even after multiple slicings to produce a planarian where none of the original trained planarian was present.<ref name="TMTA"/> The same held true after the planarians were ground up and fed untrained [[cannibalistic]] planarians, usually ''[[Dugesia dorotocephala]]''.<ref name="TMTA"/><ref>{{Cite journal|last=James|first=McConnell|date=1965|title=A Manual of Psychological Experimentation on Planarians|url=https://ase.tufts.edu/biology/labs/levin/resources/documents/PlanarianManual.pdf|journal=[[The Worm Runner's Digest]]|volume=|pages=5, 7|via=https://www.tufts.edu/}}</ref> As the nervous system was fragmented but the nucleic acids were not, this seemed to indicate the existence of memory RNA<ref name="TMTA"/> but it was later suggested that only sensitization was transferred,<ref name="POLCT">{{cite web|url=http://uwf.edu/wmikulas/Webpage/concept/chaptertwo.htm|title=Physiology of Learning|author=William L. Mikulas|accessdate=2011-03-03|publisher=[[University of West Florida]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127051125/http://uwf.edu/wmikulas/Webpage/concept/chaptertwo.htm|archivedate=2017-11-27}}</ref> or that no transfer occurred and the effect was due to [[stress hormones]] in the donor or [[pheromone]] trails left on dirty lab glass.<ref name="Kentridge"/> However, other experiments seem to support the original findings in that some memories may be stored outside the brain.<ref name="Reckoning"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Duhaime-Ross|first1=Arielle|title=Flatworms Recall Familiar Environs, Even after Losing Their Heads|url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flatworms-recall-familiar-environs-even-after-losing-their-heads/|accessdate=18 March 2015|work=[[Scientific American]]|date=17 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="Shomrat2013">{{cite journal |vauthors=Shomrat T, Levin M|title=An automated training paradigm reveals long-term memory in planaria and its persistence through head regeneration |journal=The Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=216 |issue=20|pages=3799–3810 |date=2013-07-02 |pmid=23821717 |doi=10.1242/jeb.087809|doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Scotophobin]] |
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{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2011}} |
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Memory RNA made some appearances in the [[science fiction]] of the time, often in the form of "skill pills" containing memory RNA that provided the consumer with new skills, or in the context of [[mind transfer]]. This concept shows up in several of [[Larry Niven]]'s short stories and various episodes of ''[[The Invisible Man (2000 TV series)|The Invisible Man]]'' (2000 TV series). |
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A few ''[[Star Trek]]'' novels during the 1980s employed memory RNA as a plot device to allow a character to rapidly learn an alien language, in the form of an "RNA drip". The novel "Mighty Good Road" by [[Melissa Scott (writer)|Melissa Scott]] and a sequel also use it. Further, in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode [[Violations (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|"Violations]]", Data claims that memory is stored in RNA sequences, analogous to his memory circuits. |
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The basic principle of the memory RNA was also used by comic book writer [[Alan Moore]] to explain the origin of [[DC Comics]]' character the [[Swamp Thing]] in ''Saga of the Swamp Thing #21''. In the story, believing the creature to be dead, a scientist super-villain performs an autopsy on the Swamp Thing and discovers that it is not scientist Alec Holland turned into a plant mutant, but swamp vegetation that after digesting the mortal remains of Holland, had absorbed his mind, knowledge, memories, and skills and created a new sentient being that believed itself to be Alec Holland. The planaria experiment is used in the story to back this theory. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<ref name="Reckoning">{{Cite journal|doi=10.36877/pddbs.a0000105|title=Reckoning the Unresolved Scientific Question on Memory Transfer|year=2020|last1=Tan|first1=Loh Teng-Hern|last2=Ser|first2=Hooi-Leng|last3=Ong|first3=Yong Sze|last4=Khaw|first4=Kooi Yeong|last5=Pusparajah|first5=Priyia|last6=Chan|first6=Kok-Gan|last7=Lee|first7=Learn-Han|last8=Goh|first8=Bey-Hing|journal=Progress in Drug Discovery & Biomedical Science|volume=3|doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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{{Biochem-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 23:38, 13 April 2024
Memory transfer was a biological process proposed by James V. McConnell and others in the 1960s. Memory transfer proposes a chemical basis for memory termed memory RNA which can be passed down through flesh instead of an intact nervous system. Since RNA encodes information[1] living cells produce and modify RNA in reaction to external events, it might also be used in neurons to record stimuli.[2][3][4] This explained the results of McConnell's experiments in which planarians retained memory of acquired information after regeneration. Memory transfer through memory RNA is not currently a well-accepted explanation and McConnell's experiments proved to be largely irreproducible.[5]
In McConnell's experiments, he classically conditioned planarians to contract their bodies upon exposure to light by pairing it with an electric shock.[6][5] The planarians retained this acquired information after being sliced and regenerated, even after multiple slicings to produce a planarian where none of the original trained planarian was present.[5] The same held true after the planarians were ground up and fed untrained cannibalistic planarians, usually Dugesia dorotocephala.[5][7] As the nervous system was fragmented but the nucleic acids were not, this seemed to indicate the existence of memory RNA[5] but it was later suggested that only sensitization was transferred,[6] or that no transfer occurred and the effect was due to stress hormones in the donor or pheromone trails left on dirty lab glass.[2] However, other experiments seem to support the original findings in that some memories may be stored outside the brain.[1][8][9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Tan, Loh Teng-Hern; Ser, Hooi-Leng; Ong, Yong Sze; Khaw, Kooi Yeong; Pusparajah, Priyia; Chan, Kok-Gan; Lee, Learn-Han; Goh, Bey-Hing (2020). "Reckoning the Unresolved Scientific Question on Memory Transfer". Progress in Drug Discovery & Biomedical Science. 3. doi:10.36877/pddbs.a0000105.
- ^ a b Bob Kentridge. "Investigations of the cellular bases of memory". University of Durham. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ McFarling,STAT, Usha Lee. "Memory Transferred between Snails, Challenging Standard Theory of How the Brain Remembers". Scientific American. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
- ^ Dave, Shivani (2018-05-14). "'Memory transplant' achieved in snails". Retrieved 2019-03-10.
- ^ a b c d e "The memory-transfer episode". www.apa.org. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
- ^ a b William L. Mikulas. "Physiology of Learning". University of West Florida. Archived from the original on 2017-11-27. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ James, McConnell (1965). "A Manual of Psychological Experimentation on Planarians" (PDF). The Worm Runner's Digest: 5, 7 – via https://www.tufts.edu/.
{{cite journal}}: External link in|via= - ^ Duhaime-Ross, Arielle (17 September 2013). "Flatworms Recall Familiar Environs, Even after Losing Their Heads". Scientific American. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ Shomrat T, Levin M (2013-07-02). "An automated training paradigm reveals long-term memory in planaria and its persistence through head regeneration". The Journal of Experimental Biology. 216 (20): 3799–3810. doi:10.1242/jeb.087809. PMID 23821717.
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