Our lives are full of change, and with each change our memory must adapt. The brain’s job is to keep our memories as flexible as our experiences so that we can cope with change and respond appropriately to new situations.
Our brain was once considered a static memory, but today it is viewed as an adaptable writer that continuously edits our memory manuscript.
This discovery is the result of the careful work of Professor Flavio Donato’s research group at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel.
Using mouse models, these scientific investigators were able to reveal how the brain stores memories and how they evolve over time.
Copies of a memory in our brain
At the heart of our brain, in a region known as the hippocampus, every event in our lives is archived three times.
Copies of each memory are distributed to different groups of neurons that arise at different stages of embryonic development.
The early-born neurons are the first to appear. Their role? They are supposed to ensure the longevity of a memory. Interestingly, their memory copy initially lacks strength, but it matures over time, similar to fine wine.
At first, the memory copy is too faint for the brain to access, but as the days pass, it becomes stronger. It is like a quiet whisper that gradually turns into a reverberating echo.
The late-born neurons are the second ones. Their memory copy is strong from the start but fades over time. However, as the copy diminishes, it becomes inaccessible to the brain.
Located between these two extremes, the last group of neurons represents an interesting compromise – a memory copy that remains stable over time.
Storage flexibility
These three memory copies work together, improving the memory dynamics of our brain and enhancing its plasticity.
Their activation and timing can significantly influence how we remember, modify and use our memories, which ultimately controls our behavior.
“The challenge the brain faces when it comes to remembering is quite impressive. On the one hand, it has to remember what happened in the past to help us understand the world we live in,” explains Flavio Donato.
On the other hand, it has to adapt to the changes around us, and the same goes for our memory to help us make the right decisions for our future.”
Retrieving copies of a reminder
The process of memory retrieval is a remarkable interplay of neural pathways and context clues. When we try to remember an event, our brain navigates a complex web of synaptic connections that link together fragments of the original experience.
This search is not just a repetition of past events; rather, it is a reconstruction of memory, influenced by current emotional states and environmental factors.
Recent studies show that simply recalling a memory can change its structure – an observation called reconsolidation.
Professor Donato explains: “Every time we access a memory, it is as if we are rewriting our own history, creating space for new interpretations and insights.”
Mental health and learning
Understanding the dynamics of memory formation, development, and retrieval has profound implications for mental health and educational practice.
In therapeutic settings, leveraging the adaptability of memories may be helpful in treating conditions such as PTSD, in which painful memories are recontextualized to reduce their emotional impact.
Likewise, educational strategies can be developed that support our innate memory processes, thereby improving the retention and application of knowledge over time.
By improving our understanding of these neurological mechanisms, we can explore new ways to promote resilience and curiosity, essential qualities for coping with the complexity of life.
Future of memory research
The fact that memories can be as dynamic as life itself is nothing short of a fascinating revelation that sheds light on the incredible power and potential of the brain.
Researchers at the University of Basel hope that understanding the reasons why memories are stored and changed in the brain could one day help reduce the impact of disturbing memories or even recover memories that were thought to be lost forever.
In fact, the journey of discovery continues. Will we ever fully understand the brain? Maybe. Maybe not. But for now, we can marvel at what we have learned and eagerly await what the future holds.
The study was published in the journal Science.
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