[앵커]
Some memories make you feel good just thinking regarding them, while others make you feel bad just thinking regarding them.
Scientists abroad have discovered a substance in the brain that triggers positive or negative emotions when memories are formed.
This is reporter Choi Min-ra.
[기자]
When I listen to my favorite music, I get positive emotions,
Shocking memories, such as accidents or wars, can cause negative emotions just by recalling them.
American scientists have uncovered how certain memories are tied to positive or negative emotions.
[하오리 / 미국 소크 연구소 연구원 : 기억에 좋은 감정이 입혀지는지 나쁜 감정이 입혀지는지는 매우 중요합니다. 무언가가 좋은지 나쁜지 판단하는 근간이 되기 때문입니다.]
First, the researchers looked for neurons that were activated when the mice were given a specific sound and fed sweet food to create a good memory for the sound.
When they played another sound, they fed them bitter food to see which neurons were activated when negative memories were formed.
The key was the neurotensin protein secreted by the brain amygdala.
Until neurotensin is released, only negative memory-forming cells are activated, and following neurotensin secretion, positive memory-forming cells are activated.
Also, mice that were genetically engineered to stop making neurotensin no longer formed positive memories.
[케이 타이 / 미국 소크 연구소 교수 : 이런 원리를 근본적 단계에서 이해하면 일상생활뿐 아니라 정신건강, 정신질환을 이해하는 데 큰 도움이 됩니다.]
The researchers also said that through this study, the amount of neurotensin secretion in people who are negative regarding everything can be explained.
In addition, the regulation of neurotensin secretion can also control emotions related to memory, and this study predicted that this study might be helpful in the treatment of anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The results of this study were published in the world-renowned scientific journal ‘Nature’.
This is YTN Science Choi Sora.
YTN Choi Sora (csr73@ytn.co.kr)
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