We remember some things but forget others, and why it happens, is still a mystery. Japanese scientists recently made a new discovery in how memories are formed.
Are memories formed when we are sleeping?
We dream during the stage called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and this may be an indication that a memory is being formed.
Japanese researchers discovered that memory consolidation requires a specific activity in a special group of neurons. It is the adult-born neurons (ABNs) in hippocampus that are activated when a memory is created, scientists found.
Hippocampus is the region of brain associated with memory.
The process of creating new neurons in the brain is called neurogenesis.
To find out how the process works, researchers gave mice the task that would cause creating a memory, based on fear. Then they monitored the brain activity in subjects.
The ABN cells that are relatively rare in the brain were activated during sleep when a memory was being created. Then researchers used a special method to silence activity of these cells during sleep and discovered that the process of creating a memory was impaired.
This showed that activity in these neurons is necessary for consolidating a memory in the brain.
Scientists pointed out that this role of ANBs in memory creation during REM sleep wasn’t previously known.
It is amazing that we are able to remember things, the ability, which we take for granted. It is only when a person is unable to remember what happened to them, such as what happens to some stroke patients, that we start wondering how to fix it.
Research work such as the one discussed pave the way to ways of treatment for memory disorders.
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