Scientists managed to relax newly created synapses

Remember Men In Black & the Neuralyzer? The tool that emits a quick burst of light that wipes the memory of whatever alien phenomenon a witness saw. Well...

Scientists managed to relax newly created synapses (the neural connections responsible for forming memories).

The study involved mice learning that if they entered a dark chamber annexed to their bright habitat, they would receive an electric shock. Mice learned that they would be shocked upon entering, and thus became cautious and fearful around the dark chamber. Those that had their memories undone with the treatment would instead bound into the dark chamber happily as though they had never been exposed to it.

The scientists also tried erasing the memory another way by flashing light onto another part of the brain — one that summons more distant memories. Two days after the learning experience, they managed to erase what the mouse had learned. After 25 days, however, it had been too long and the memories had consolidated within the brain.