Neurobiologists at KU Leuven have discovered how the signalling molecule Neuromedin U plays a crucial role in our learning process. The protein allows the brain to recall negative memories and, as such, learn from the past. The findings of their study on roundworms have been published Communications.
If a certain type of food or drink has made you ill in the past, you will avoid it on future occasions. Similarly, you will avoid an uncomfortable situation that made you anxious before. This learning process, which is based on unpleasant or negative memories, is extremely important. ...