Discovery of lipid-based pathway for memory formation sheds light on potential PTSD treatments

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June 18, 2025, 3:54 PM

• •University of Queensland researchers discovered a new lipid-based pathway essential for memory formation.
• •The pathway involves a saturated fat, myristic acid, released by an enzyme, DDHD2, which tags proteins in neurons.
• •Blocking this pathway in mice prevented memory formation, suggesting its importance in learning.
• •The discovery offers a potential therapeutic target for preventing the consolidation of traumatic memories, such as in PTSD.

University of Queensland researchers have identified a new lipid-based pathway crucial for memory formation. This pathway involves the saturated fat myristic acid, released by the enzyme DDHD2, which chemically tags proteins in neuronal connections. Blocking this fat-signaling pathway in mice prevented memory formation, highlighting its essential role in learning. This discovery offers a potential therapeutic target for disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by preventing the consolidation of traumatic memories.

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