In a finding worthy of a science fiction novel, U.S. scientists reported they could selectively erase specific memories in mice without affecting recall of other events.

Research published in the journal Neuron found that the manipulation of a type of protein in the brain can wipe out certain memories in the brains of mice.

The study elicited memory loss by manipulating the activity of a protein called alpha-CaM kinase II, which is involved in learning and memory.

Researchers put the mice in a chamber where they heard a tone, followed by a mild electric shock.

A month later, researchers placed the mice in a different chamber, caused an overproduction of the protein in their brains, and played the tone again.

This time the mice showed no fear of the tone.

But when the same mice were placed in the chamber in which they originally received the shock, the mice showed a fearful response.

As a result, the study says, the mice showed a memory loss for a specific event – the tone associated with the shock – but had not lost the memory of the original shock.

Doubtful of human application

However, it was unlikely such a result could be replicated in humans, said lead researcher Joe Tsien of the Medical College of Georgia.

"The human brain is so complex and dramatically different from the mouse brain. That's why I say I don't think it's possible you can do the same thing in humans," Tsien told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.

"However, if that happens in my lifetime, I wouldn't be surprised either," he added.

The study said it may be possible in the future to develop a pill that wipes out traumatic memories, like war-related ones, but Tsien cautioned against the wisdom of the benefits of erasing a person's bad memories.

"All memories, including the painful emotional memories, have their purposes. We learn great lessons from those memories or experiences so we can avoid making the same kinds of mistakes again, and help us to adapt down the road." he told Reuters.

With files from Reuters