Generation of a Synthetic Memory Trace

There are many ideas for downstream experiements that could be utilized in order to delve into remaining questions resulting from this study.  Potential utilization of the more modern idea of optogenetics, which involves the use of light to control the synaptic transmission of neurons that have been genetically modified to express light sensitive ion channels.  The CNO injections used in this experiement take at least an hour to stimulate neuronal activity, which is not a realistic depiction of how memory processes work in real life.  Running the same labeling, training, and retrieval tests using a more realistic method of generating synthetic memories might depict more accurate and applicable results.  Another idea would be to include female mice in a totally separate experimental group that undergoes the same synthetic memory generation.  All male mice were utilized in these experiments in order to rule out any discrepancies that might result from a difference in hormones, and the subsequent affect on memory retrieval.  It would be interesting, however, to actually prove if there is a difference associated with hormones and memory.  This difference might explain why some sexes are more predisposed to experience certain neurological conditions associated with memory, such as women being more likely to experience Alzheimer’s.