al-mofhariz

The arithmetic of the brain is staggering. In just 3 lbs. of gray matter , there are 100 billion brain cells —each with branches connecting at 100 trillion synapses . Dozens of chemical neurotransmitters travel through this neural network, creating, storing, and accessing memories—the sum total of our sensations, thoughts, experiences, and knowledge. Currently, the brain’s total capacity for memory-making is beyond calculation. But what happens when the brain loses its ability to remember new things? In his lab at Columbia University, neuroscientist Ottavio Arancio explores the molecular mechanisms of memory formation. He asks: --Why do some people stop remembering? --How does disruption of the brain’s pathways affect our ability to learn? --Can new drugs slow, stop, or even reverse the process of memory-impairing diseases such as Alzheimer’s? --What can we learn from forgetful lab mice? --Can memory be enhanced? Will future medications act as brain boosters? Dr. Arancio is a cellu...