In Situ Reprogramming of Neurons and Glia – A Risk in Altering Memory and Personality?

Abstract

The recent emergence of reprogramming technologies to convert brain cell types or epigenetically alter neurons and neural progenitors in vivo and in situ hold significant promises in brain repair and neuronal aging reversal. However, given the significant epigenetic and transcriptomic changes to components of the existing neuronal cells and network, we question if these reprogramming technology might inadvertently alter or erase memory engrams, conceivably resulting in changes in narrative identity or personality. We suggest that the nature of these alterations might be less predictable compared to memory and personality changes known to be associated with diseases, drugs or brain stimulation therapies. While research in applying reprogramming technologies to neurological ailments and aging should continue, more targeted analyses should be put in place in animal experiments to gauge the severity and degree of memory alterations, and appropriate risk and benefit analyses should be conducted before these technologies move into human trials.

Keywords:

• Engram
• in situ reprogramming
• memory
• neurons
• personality

This article is referred to by:

On Changes and Opportunities at AJOB Neuroscience

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author is grateful to the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive and helpful comments, which improved the manuscript.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The author has no conflict of interest to declare.

Notes

1 The Yamanaka factors are all oncogenic transcription factors and their expression could potentially drive malignancy, particularly for progenitor cells in the brain. Perhaps the most prominent oncogene among the original Yamanaka factors is c-MYC, which Lu et al. have omitted in their reprogramming protocol.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.