What did you have for dinner on Wednesday, 4 January 2006? Wait…give me a few seconds… (Not!)

You'd probably be able to tell us if it weren’t for all the protein phosphatase 1 coursing through your brain. This enzyme (PP1) plays a crucial, but mysterious role in memory. The more you have, the less likely you are to remember that formula in the exam.

Scientists at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich disabled this gene in the brains of mice. They became little Einsteins and completed their mazes chip chop. Now they just need to find a way to disable PP1 in our brains.

If this doesn’t work, we can always use a drug that slows down the destruction of the molecule cyclic-AMP. This little piece of gibberish helps to activate proteins that strengthen connections between neurons and spark memory formation. Memory Pharmaceuticals is the company exploring ways to boost the body’s c-AMP production.

Look forward to rattling off pi to a zillion decimal places in the near future!