New possibilities cited in Boston research might suggest that.
One of the constant fascinations is our amazing brain and its capacity. The entire field of neuroscience has given us incredible insights into the impact of our memories and how they can trigger us to relive memories which then cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress. It is so much a part of life experience of a trauma-impacted individual.
As new research emerges we recognize that we still have so much more to learn. Even as advanced as our medical and biological understanding is we are still in our infancy in understanding the capacity of the brain. A recent study at Boston University has introduced some new possibilities involving enhancing or suppressing certain memories in the hippocampus part of the brain.
The opening summary of this article is intriguing!
What if scientists could manipulate your brain so that a traumatic memory lost its emotional power over your psyche? Steve Ramirez, a Boston University neuroscientist fascinated by memory, believes that a small structure in the brain could hold the keys to future therapeutic techniques for treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD, someday allowing clinicians to enhance positive memories or suppress negative ones.
Although this research is based on working with the brains of mice it seems to have some promise in treatment for some of our most difficult emotional conditions such as PTSD.
I know there are other researchers pursuing varied aspects of brain capacity and functioning as they investigate how to help those who have had deep emotional wounds. It is exciting to think about all the possibilities for some of our veterans and others who have been severely impacted by varied forms of trauma. Here is the link to this research: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190523143040.htm
Studies like this one are important to acknowledge and learn from as we move closer to feasible advanced discoveries and perhaps the possibility to create new therapeutic interventions that could help thousands plagued by chronic anxiety, depression and PTSD. I deeply appreciate all those who are striving to discover new aspects and capacities of our complex and fascinating brains.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
