Science Pubs are a casual lecture series held in two locations across Portland. Grab a drink and get comfy as you learn about how fearful memories form and what we can do about them, with Ghosts of the Past: Fear and Memory Erasure.

About the lecture:

Years of research on the neurobiology of learning and memory have delineated key brain mechanisms involved in processing fear. These mechanisms can be engaged by fun fear, such as an unexpected "boo!" on Halloween or the anticipation that builds in a scary movie. With more intense experiences, these brain mechanisms can become hyperactivated leading to a debilitating inability to inhibit memories associated with an especially traumatic event. These traumatic experiences often result in anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in which the stress and anxiety associated with certain memories can have a lasting impact. Although pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral interventions for these disorders are helpful, long-term treatments remain a challenge.

An open question currently being investigated in the neuroscience of memory is whether we can erase these fearful memories. In this presentation, I will review what we know about the neuroscience of fear and memory erasure, and offer caveats about what it means to erase memories scientifically and ethically.

Dr. Matt Lattal is a Professor in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at the Oregon Health and Science University. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego and his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been on the faculty of OHSU since 2005. Matt has published over 80 papers on basic behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of learning and memory.

Here is more information on OMSI Science Pub: Ghosts of the Past - Fear and Memory Erasure (omsi.edu)

About OMSI Science Pub

Science Pub Kennedy School is a monthly event that is open to anyone and everyone. No RSVP or scientific background required. Just bring your curiosity, sense of humor, and appetite for food, drinks and knowledge! For more information or to sign up for our mailing list, email: sciencepub@omsi.edu.

Dinner and drinks will be available throughout the presentation. Please visit the McMenamins Kennedy School website for a dinner menu and venue information.

Suggested donation of $5 all goes to OMSI.

Calendar:

http://www.omsi.edu/sciencepubportland

Website:

http://www.omsi.edu