Memory is what makes us human. While animals have the ability to learn and remember, their experiences lack the emotional and intellectual depth of human memory. At its core, memory is the translation of molecular processes and cellular mechanics in neurons. Scientists are uncovering that basic mechanisms of memory also function in other types of cells, including kidney cells.
The concept of memory is not new, with great thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle likening it to engravings on a wax tablet. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus began to outline the processes of memory through experimental methods. In the 20th century, modern biological techniques allowed scientists to unravel the molecular mechanisms that house our memories.
The spacing effect, a concept described by Ebbinghaus in 1885, is the idea that we retain information better when studying multiple times over a longer period rather than cramming all at once. This phenomenon has been validated through research and has been observed in animal models, including sea slugs and cultured neurons.
Recently, researchers have discovered that kidney cells, which lack a nervous system, also exhibit the spacing effect. The activation of a gene that produces a protein called CREB, which is involved in memory formation, occurs more effectively when stimulation is delivered at intervals rather than all at once.
The study by Nikolay Kukushkin and his team, published in Nature Communications, marks the first time a complex memory phenomenon has been observed in non-neuronal cells. The findings suggest that all cells, including kidney cells, learn and remember and that this phenomenon could be a fundamental property of all cells.
This research builds on a growing body of evidence showing that individual cells, whether in unicellular organisms or as part of a multicellular organism, are not passive to prior experiences and can learn from them. Cells store memories of past experiences and exhibit habituation behaviors, such as becoming accustomed to a noise or smell.
These findings could lead to better ways to enhance learning and treat memory problems, as well as help overcome resistance to medical treatments. As Rosa MartÃnez-Corral suggests, “this could represent a form of memory at the cellular level, enabling cells to both react immediately and influence future responses.”
