NYC Gazette

A team of scientists has made a significant discovery that could change the understanding of memory storage in the human body. The study, led by Nikolay V. Kukushkin from New York University, reveals that cells outside the brain can also store memories. This research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Kukushkin explains, “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.” The study focused on whether non-brain cells contribute to memory by applying a known neurological principle called the massed-spaced effect. This principle suggests that information is better retained when studied at intervals rather than all at once.

In their experiments, researchers used two types of non-brain human cells—one from nerve tissue and another from kidney tissue—and exposed them to chemical signals similar to those experienced by brain cells during learning. These non-brain cells activated a "memory gene," which is typically triggered in brain cells when they recognize patterns and form connections for memory storage.

The scientists engineered these non-brain cells to produce a glowing protein as an indicator of when the memory gene was active. Their findings showed that these cells responded more robustly to spaced-out chemical pulses compared to continuous exposure, mirroring how neurons react in the brain.

“This reflects the massed-space effect in action,” says Kukushkin. He adds that this ability might be a fundamental property shared by all cell types, not just neurons.

The implications of this research extend beyond academic interest; it could lead to advancements in enhancing learning processes and treating memory-related conditions. Kukushkin notes, “This discovery opens new doors for understanding how memory works and could lead to better ways to enhance learning and treat memory problems.”

The study was conducted under the joint supervision of Kukushkin and Thomas Carew at NYU’s Center for Neural Science. Other contributors included Tasnim Tabassum and Robert Carney from NYU. The research received funding support from the National Institutes of Health (R01-MH120300-01A1).