Brain Stores Memories in Triplicate
Curated by
chrisrand
3 min read
38,046
1,664
Recent research from the University of Basel has revealed that the human brain creates three distinct copies of each memory in the hippocampus, challenging our understanding of how memories are stored and processed. This discovery, reported in the journal Science, sheds light on the brain's remarkable ability to balance memory persistence with adaptability, potentially opening new avenues for treating memory disorders and recovering lost memories.
Types of Neurons in Memory
news.mit.edu
Three distinct groups of neurons in the hippocampus are responsible for creating and storing memory copies:
- Early-born neurons form a long-lasting copy that strengthens over time, initially too weak to access but becoming stronger with age12
- Late-born neurons create a strong initial copy that fades over time, eventually becoming inaccessible12
- Intermediate neurons produce a more stable copy that remains consistent12
1
2
.2 sources
Purpose of Memory Triplication
This unique memory storage system serves several crucial functions. It ensures memory persistence while allowing for flexibility, enabling the brain to adapt memories to changing circumstances
1
. The interplay between different neuronal groups facilitates appropriate behavioral responses to new situations, balancing the need to retain past experiences with the ability to update and modify them2
. This dynamic nature of memory storage demonstrates the brain's remarkable plasticity and capacity for adaptation, allowing individuals to learn from the past while remaining responsive to present conditions1
2
.2 sources
Memory Activation Dynamics
The activation and timing of different memory copies significantly influence how we remember, modify, and utilize our experiences. Surprisingly, which copy is accessed can affect memory malleability - memories stored by late-born neurons shortly after acquisition can be modified and rewritten, while those retrieved from early-born neurons after a long time are more resistant to change
1
. This dynamic process underpins the brain's enormous memory capacity and plasticity. The interplay between these neuronal groups allows for a delicate balance between maintaining past knowledge and adapting to new information, enabling appropriate behavioral responses in changing environments1
.1 source
Implications for Memory Disorders
blog.sevenponds.com
Understanding the brain's tripartite memory storage system could revolutionize treatments for memory disorders like Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope that insights into memory encoding and modification processes might lead to therapies that soften intrusive memories or potentially recover those thought to be lost
1
. This newfound knowledge of memory dynamics opens avenues for developing targeted interventions that could enhance memory persistence or facilitate the updating of maladaptive memories, potentially improving outcomes for patients with various cognitive impairments2
.2 sources
Related
How does the brain decide which memory copy to access
What happens when the memory copies conflict
How do late-born neurons contribute to memory loss
Can memory triplication help in recovering lost memories
How do emotional states impact memory retrieval
Keep Reading
Quantum Entanglement in the Brain
The concept of quantum entanglement in the brain, where particles become interconnected in ways that could influence consciousness and cognition, has sparked intense scientific debate and research. While some researchers propose that quantum processes might explain complex brain functions, others argue that the warm, wet environment of the brain is unsuitable for maintaining quantum states.
101,480
Brains Memory Glue Discovered
Recent research has unveiled two crucial mechanisms behind long-term memory storage in the human brain. Scientists have identified specific neurons in the hippocampus that act as "glue" for episodic memories, while another study has revealed the role of the KIBRA protein as a molecular adhesive that helps maintain memories for decades.
61,364
The Body Stores Memories
Based on reports from Nature Communications, groundbreaking research has revealed that the ability to form and store memories is not exclusive to the brain, but extends to cells throughout the human body, challenging long-held beliefs about cognition and opening new avenues for understanding memory formation and potential treatments.
32,704