Research Hit: Exercise Helps in Forgetting Traumatic Memories — and Addiction

Exercise promotes growth of new neurons, rewires the brain, helps to forget traumatic memories, and improves generalised fear — in mice.

That’s a bunch of positive things you mention — but only in mice as you said!?

Yes, it is a bunch of positive things but all very promising — particularly for those who suffer from PTSD.

Yes, I report often on research into mice and animal models — it is the first step but often gives us very, very important insights into the precise functions of the brain in certain contexts.

Ok, and what was happening and how can this help those with PTSD or other fear disorders?

This paper just out by Fujikawa et al. was a collaboration between the University of Toronto, Canada, and Kyushu University of Japan. The title says it all:

“Neurogenesis-dependent remodeling of hippocampal circuits reduces PTSD-like behaviors in adult mice.”

You’ll have to explain that to me!

First of all, this research was specifically focused on PTSD symptoms. The standard treatments are therapy and anti-depressants. These researchers wanted to…