X-Message-Number: 3549
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: CRYONICS: re recent discoveries about LTP
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 10:59:38 -0800 (PST)



Hi!

About LTP and the recent verification that NO spreads its effect beyond an
individual synapse: unfortunately, LTP itself is probably not the final
form of memory storage, which is what we want for our long term memory.
It certainly plays a crucial role, but think: if it did not disappear, 
after a while all our synapses will have gone through LTP and we will not
be able to learn a thing. And that while won't be very long, if every
synapse can only do it once.

For that matter, the late stage of memory formation requires a lot of
protein synthesis. Technical problems have so far prevented us from fully
studying this synthesis. LTP involves only reactions between biochemicals
already existing at the synapses. It cannot therefore account for long 
term memory itself.

It's clear that our brain is redundant. How and where is critical to any
proposals for revival. There's still no good answer to that question.

			Long long life,

			    Thomas Donaldson

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=3549