Brain found to store three copies of every memory
A University of Basel study found the brain uses three neuron types for memory storage, revealing potential therapeutic applications for traumatic memories and highlighting the complexity of memory formation and retrieval.
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A recent study from the University of Basel has revealed that the brain stores memories using three distinct sets of neurons, akin to a computer's redundancy system. Researchers observed this phenomenon in mice, identifying early-born neurons, late-born neurons, and those that develop in between. Early-born neurons initially struggle to retrieve memories but strengthen over time, while late-born neurons provide strong initial memory storage that fades quickly. The middle group offers a more stable memory retention. This dynamic storage process highlights the brain's plasticity, which is crucial for adapting memories to new experiences. The findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for individuals with traumatic memories, as modifying fresh memories before they are solidified could be possible. The study emphasizes the complexity of memory formation and retrieval, indicating that understanding these mechanisms may help in accessing lost memories or alleviating intrusive painful memories. The research has been published in the journal Science.
- The brain uses three types of neurons to store a single memory.
- Early-born neurons initially have weak memory retrieval but strengthen over time.
- Late-born neurons start strong but fade quickly, making memories harder to access.
- The study's findings may aid in treating traumatic memories.
- Understanding memory plasticity could help in accessing lost memories or reducing intrusive ones.
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14 commentsAnyone have an idea of how they make that leap? Or are the researchers getting ahead of their skis, assuming that neurons lighting up means the memory is directly stored there as opposed to those neurons simply being part of the process?
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk0997
The paper is about how the brain seems to encode memories and re encode them over multiple groups of differently aged neurons; with younger neurons being more plastic). Nothing like saying “brains store three copies”
With entanglement they all work together to form the one memory no?
I’m not convinced the same memory is even isolated to one brain.
Why would the brain store multiple copies of a memory? It’s so inefficient.
How else are you going to look at it from other perspectives?
... IN MICE
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