Memory Restoration Protein Discovered in Fruit Flies
A six-year study shows that a specific chaperone protein can reverse memory loss, offering new insights for future human research.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Researchers have identified a protein in fruit flies, called Funes, that can restore memory function by regulating how other proteins fold in the brain. This discovery, based on a six-year study, offers a potential new avenue for understanding memory loss in humans.
Why it matters
Memory loss is linked to the transition of beneficial amyloid proteins into harmful, rigid states that disrupt cognitive function. Understanding how to maintain these proteins in a healthy form may eventually lead to new strategies for preventing or reversing cognitive decline.
This study of 10 million fruit flies examined protein behavior across eight life stages over six years. Findings indicate that increasing the Funes chaperone protein restores memory in aged flies, though these results remain preliminary and have not been replicated in human models.
The players
Rubén Hervás
A biochemist at the University of Hong Kong who led the research team.
University of Hong Kong
The academic institution where the lead researchers conducted this study.
Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry
A collaborating research institution that participated in the multi-year study.
Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre
A research center associated with independent experts in the field of molecular biology.
The details
The brain relies on chaperone proteins to ensure that other proteins fold into functional, rather than rigid, structures. Researchers found that when beneficial amyloid proteins in flies shift into rigid states, memory capacity declines, but increasing production of the Funes chaperone protein can force those proteins back into a functional conformation. Conversely, promoting different proteins can induce memory impairment, highlighting the delicate balance required for cognitive stability.
Timeline
January 2026: Researchers identified the role of the Funes protein in memory.
October 2026: The study on memory restoration was published.
Health Landscape
This research provides a new lens on amyloid proteins, which are central to the study of neurodegenerative conditions. It builds on established understanding of protein folding, placing the human CPEB3 protein at the center of future efforts to maintain cognitive health.
These findings are currently limited to laboratory research in fruit flies and do not offer any immediate changes to medical care or personal health habits. Ongoing research may one day inform human treatments, but for now, any questions regarding cognitive health should be addressed with a physician.
The takeaway
Memory loss in this model is driven by proteins shifting into rigid, harmful states that can potentially be reversed. Keep track of emerging research on chaperone proteins, as scientists continue to explore how these mechanisms might eventually protect human cognitive function.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research into cognitive health in our Alzheimer’s section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EL PAÍS.
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