Anaesthetic drug 'numbs memory'

The scientists at University at California have found a drug, sevoflurane gas, can help stop patients from remembering painful memories, such as the details of a recent surgery the patient just went through.
"This study reports the discovery of an agent and method for blocking human emotional memory" --Scientists of University of California
In a research study, it was found that patients that were given sevoflurane could only remember about 5% of the emotive images that were shown to them while given the gas. The patients could only remember 10% of the other images that didn't incite emotion, such as a cup of coffee. Brain scans revealed that the gas appeared to interfere with impulses between the amydala and hippocampus, areas of the brain known for their involvement in the processing of emotion and memory.
This drug is found to only prevent new memories from forming, it is not proven that this drug can erase memories already made.
This type of research is a step forward in trying to understand why patients remember the gruesome details of their surgeries, even though they are put completely to sleep during the procedure. They found that approximately 1 in every 5,000 patients remember the procedure of the surgery, and this drug can help block these painful and emotional memories from forming.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7342548.stm