How Does Your Brain Create New Memories?

How Does Your Brain Create New Memories? Neuroscientists Discover ‘Rules’ for How Neurons Encode New Information

Have you ever wondered how your brain keeps track of a brand-new phone number, a favorite song, or the face of a new acquaintance? Neuroscientists have been trying to figure out exactly how our brains make memories for decades. Now, a new study has revealed the exact rules that govern how neurons encode new information. The human brain's network of approximately 86 billion neurons, which are constantly communicating through chemical and electrical signals, is at the center of this process. Understanding how these neurons function has been one of science's most difficult puzzles, despite the fact that they constitute the physical foundation of memory.

The Building Blocks of Memory

A stimulus—something you see, hear, feel, or think about—gives rise to every memory. The hippocampus, a seahorse-shaped structure deep within the brain that is known to be essential for memory formation, receives this information after the sensory areas of the brain process it. The hippocampus organizes and stores experiences in a way similar to a hub, allowing for their long-term storage. Here, the neurons create activity patterns that are related to particular memories. However, scientists lacked a complete understanding of the factors that determine which neurons become part of a memory and which do not.

New Discoveries: The “Rules” of Encoding

Advanced imaging methods were used to observe live brain activity in mice as they learned new information in a recent Nature Neuroscience study. They found something that changes how we think about how memories are formed. Memory encoding is not random, according to the team. Instead, specific "rules" determine which neurons are involved in the formation of a new memory. The connectivity of a neuron, its previous activity, and even its physical location in the brain serve as the foundation for these rules. One important finding is that during the encoding of a new memory, neurons with higher excitability, which means they are more likely to fire electrical signals, are more likely to be recruited. On the other hand, neurons that were already very active in previous memories tend to be "reserved," which helps to avoid memory overlap or confusion. Pattern separation, a process that scientists refer to as this, aids the brain in maintaining a clear distinction between various events or pieces of information.

Timing Is Everything

The significance of timing was yet another significant finding. Neurons that are activated at the same time are more likely to form a memory. The term "cells that fire together, wire together" serves as a succinct summary of this neuroscience theory known as "Hebbian learning." High-resolution brain imaging is now allowing researchers to observe this in action. Interestingly, the study also found that smaller groups of neurons tend to encode particular aspects of an experience, such as a room's layout or the sound of a voice, while other neurons combine that information into a larger, more comprehensive memory. It's like putting together a puzzle: some neurons put the pieces together, while others handle the individual pieces.

Implications for Mental Health and Learning

Not only is it fascinating to learn the rules of memory formation, but it also has practical applications. For instance, researchers hope that by determining which neurons are involved in memory, they will be able to discover strategies for improving or repairing memory in individuals who suffer from conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or traumatic brain injury. These findings may also help clarify the connection between memory loss and stress. The delicate equilibrium necessary for proper encoding can be disrupted by either condition, which can alter the excitability of neurons. This research may lead to new teaching methods that align with the brain's natural memory formation process to maximize learning in education.

The Future of Memory Research

Understanding how the brain transforms fleeting experiences into long-lasting memories is just the beginning. A significant advancement is the discovery of neuronal "rules" for memory encoding. It demonstrates that memory is not merely a haphazard occurrence but rather a meticulously planned process that is guided by the inherent characteristics of our brain cells. We may soon be able to precisely map the neural pathways involved in our most precious memories and even learn how to enhance or protect them throughout life as imaging and manipulating brain activity tools continue to improve. One thing is for sure for the time being: every new memory is the result of a neuronal dance that is stunningly complex but beautifully coordinated, and your brain is doing this dance countless times every day.