| Memory encoding a physical process VoorArgument1 #106764 The encoding of memories in the brain is a physical process that is increasingly well understood - see the article cited below (the photo of a neuron is taken from the article). More specifically, the encoding of memories involves the selective strengthening of synapses between neurons. |
|
+Citaten (1)
- CitatenVoeg citaat toeList by: CiterankMapLink[1] How the Brain Encodes Memories at a Cellular Level (article)
Citerend uit: Science News
Geciteerd door: Peter Baldwin 1:45 AM 2 June 2011 GMT
URL:
|
| Fragment- The team of scientists is the first to uncover a central process in encoding memories that occurs at the level of the synapse, where neurons connect with each other.
"When we learn new things, when we store memories, there are a number of things that have to happen," said senior author Kenneth S. Kosik, co-director and Harriman Chair in Neuroscience Research, at UCSB's Neuroscience Research Institute. Kosik is a leading researcher in the area of Alzheimer's disease.
"One of the most important processes is that the synapses -- which cement those memories into place -- have to be strengthened," said Kosik. "In strengthening a synapse you build a connection, and certain synapses are encoding a memory. Those synapses have to be strengthened so that memory is in place and stays there. Strengthening synapses is a very important part of learning. What we have found appears to be one part of how that happens."
Part of strengthening a synapse involves making new proteins. Those proteins build the synapse and make it stronger. Just like with exercise, when new proteins must build up muscle mass, synapses must also make more protein when recording memories. In this research, the regulation and control of that process was uncovered.
|