Short-term memory is based on two main areas of the brain: the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. The scientists wanted to learn how these regions of the brain interact with each other in the formation, storage, and recall of memories at the level of specific neuron groups. They also wanted to understand why memory sometimes falters.
Using rat brain recordings, the team showed that memory encoding, storage and retrieval is supported by dynamic interactions involving multiple neural ensembles that form within and between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The animals made mistakes when the coordination of these nodes was impaired.
“Our results allowed us to identify critical processes that determine success or failure in memorization. These represent valid targets for therapeutic intervention at the neuronal interaction level,” the scientists said.
The next step is to modulate the interaction of neural nodes with drugs or brain stimulation, to see if this will impair memory or vice versa – improve it.
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Source: Ferra
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