Researchers Discover Memory Formation in Kidney and Nerve Tissue Cells

By Kara Ngo

Researchers at New York University (NYU) conducted a study that revealed that kidney and nerve tissue cells can form memories in November 2024.  This discovery challenges long-held beliefs about memory formation, contradicting the traditional view that memories are formed exclusively in the brain.  This research, published in the journal Nature Communications, opens new avenues for understanding memory functions throughout the body.

The research team, led by Nikolay V. Kukushkin, investigated the memory-forming capabilities of non-brain cells by exposing kidney and nerve tissue cells to repetitive chemical signals. These signals mimic neurotransmitter patterns encountered by neurons in the brain.  The team observed the activation of a “memory gene” in these cells, traditionally associated with memory formation in neurons.  The study’s findings suggest that memory may be a more widespread capability within the body than previously understood.

The activation of the “memory gene,” in response to the patterns of chemical signals, was one of the key discoveries in their research.  This gene's activation demonstrates that non-brain cells can “learn” and “remember” information, similarly to neurons.  These findings highlight the massed-spaced effect—where cells exhibit better retention of information when exposed to repetitive signals in spaced intervals rather than in a single session.

The discovery has significant implications for health and treatment strategies, as it suggests that various body parts may possess their own memory systems.  For instance, understanding how the pancreas recalls past meal patterns to regulate blood glucose levels could lead to innovative approaches in diabetes management.  Similarly, cancer cells often develop resistance to chemotherapy by “remembering” previous treatments.  By deciphering how these cells form memories, researchers could develop new strategies to prevent resistance and improve cancer treatments.

“The ability to learn from spaced repetition isn’t unique to brain cells, but, in fact, might be a fundamental property of all cells,” says Kukushin, a clinical associate professor of life science at NYU Liberal Studies and a researcher at NYU’s Center for Neural Science.

Additionally, the implications extend to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, where memory loss and cognitive decline are prevalent.  If memory formation is not confined to the brain, therapies could target memory-related processes in other tissues, offering new hope for patients.

Future research will likely focus on exploring the mechanisms behind memory formation in non-brain cells, potentially revealing new therapeutic targets.  This discovery marks a significant breakthrough in neuroscience and medicine, with the potential to transform our understanding and treatment of a wide range of conditions.