Brains; kidneys, nerve tissues also store memories and how we take care of our body parts.

It’s common knowledge that our brains, and specifically, our brain cells, store memories. But a team of scientists has discovered that cells from other parts of the body also perform a memory function, opening new pathways for understanding how memory works and creating the potential to enhance learning and to treat memory-related afflictions.

“Learning and memory are generally associated with brains and brain cells alone, but our study shows that other cells in the body can learn and form memories, too,” says New York University’s Nikolay V. Kukushkin, the lead author of the study, which was published in the November 10 edition of the journal Nature Communications.

The research sought to better understand if non-brain cells help with memory by borrowing from a long-established neurological property—the massed-spaced effect—which shows that we tend to retain information better when studied in spaced intervals rather than in a single, intensive session—better known as cramming for a test.


In the Nature Communications research, the scientists replicated learning over time by studying two types of non-brain human cells in a laboratory (one from nerve tissue and one from kidney tissue) and exposing them to different patterns of chemical signals—just like brain cells are exposed to patterns of neurotransmitters when we learn new information.

In response, the non-brain cells turned on a “memory gene”—the same gene that brain cells turn on when they detect a pattern in the information and restructure their connections in order to form memories.

To monitor the memory and learning process, the scientists engineered these non-brain cells to make a glowing protein, which indicated when the memory gene was on and when it was off.


The results showed that these cells could determine when the chemical pulses, which imitated bursts of neurotransmitters in the brain, were repeated rather than simply prolonged—just as neurons in our brain can register when we learn with breaks rather than cramming all the material in one sitting.

Specifically, when the pulses were delivered in spaced-out intervals, they turned on the “memory gene” more strongly, and for a longer time than when the same treatment was delivered all at once.

“This reflects the massed-space effect in action,” says Kukushkin, a clinical associate professor of life science at NYU Liberal Studies and a research fellow at NYU’s Center for Neural Science.

“It shows that the ability to learn from spaced repetition isn’t unique to brain cells, but, in fact, might be a fundamental property of all cells.”


The researchers add that the findings not only offer new ways to study memory but also point to potential health-related gains.

“This discovery opens new doors for understanding how memory works and could lead to better ways to enhance learning and treat memory problems,” Kukushkin said.

“At the same time, it suggests that in the future, we will need to treat our body more like the brain—for example, consider what our pancreas remembers about the pattern of our past meals to maintain healthy levels of blood glucose or consider what a cancer cell remembers about the pattern of chemotherapy.”

The work was jointly supervised by Kukushkin and Thomas Carew, a professor at NYU’s Center for Neural Science. The study’s authors also included Tasnim Tabassum, an NYU researcher, and Robert Carney, an NYU undergraduate researcher at the time of the study.

*Skin*

1. *Moisturize*: Keep your skin hydrated with a suitable moisturizer.
2. *Protect from sun*: Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to prevent damage from UV rays.
3. *Exfoliate*: Gently remove dead skin cells with a gentle scrub or exfoliating gloves.

*Hair*

1. *Use gentle products*: Choose shampoos and conditioners suitable for your hair type.
2. *Keep it moisturized*: Use a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment once a week.
3. *Protect from heat*: Use a heat protectant spray when styling with heat tools.

*Eyes*

1. *Get regular check-ups*: Schedule eye exams to monitor your vision and eye health.
2. *Wear sunglasses*: Protect your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses that offer UV protection.
3. *Follow the 20-20-20 rule*: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

*Teeth and Mouth*

1. *Brush and floss regularly*: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
2. *Visit your dentist*: Schedule regular dental check-ups to prevent and detect oral health issues.
3. *Avoid sugary and acidic foods*: Limit your consumption of foods that can harm your teeth and gums.

*Hands and Feet*

1. *Moisturize*: Keep your hands and feet hydrated with a rich moisturizer.
2. *Protect from harsh conditions*: Wear gloves when washing dishes, gardening, or doing other activities that can dry out your hands.
3. *Trim and file nails*: Keep your fingernails and toenails clean and trimmed to prevent breaks and infections.

*Internal Organs*

1. *Eat a balanced diet*: Fuel your body with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
2. *Stay hydrated*: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your organs function properly.
3. *Exercise regularly*: Engage in physical activities that promote overall health and well-being.

*Brain and Mental Health*

1. *Practice mindfulness*: Take time to relax, meditate, and focus on the present moment.
2. *Get enough sleep*: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to help your brain function properly.
3. *Challenge yourself*: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind, such as reading, puzzles, or learning a new skill.