How Ancient Viruses Might Have Changed Our Brains

The video explores neuron communication, focusing on the ARC gene's role in memory and learning. It discusses experiments on rats that highlight ARC's importance in forming memories. The ARC gene's potential link to human brain disorders like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia is examined. Researchers discovered ARC's viral-like properties, suggesting it may have originated from a retrovirus. ARC capsids can shuttle mRNA between neurons, offering new insights into brain communication and potential therapeutic applications.

What implications do abnormal levels of ARC protein have for diseases like Alzheimer's?

How might ARC capsids change our understanding of brain communication?

What potential future applications could arise from the research on ARC capsids?