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We all love getting something new. But then we have to move around our current clutter to find a place for it. Well, looks like things work the same way in the brain. Because according to a study published in the journal Cell, newborn neurons in the brain’s memory center make room for new memories by moving out the old ones.
Ten years ago, scientists discovered that the brain makes new neurons well into adulthood. These cells arise in the hippocampus, a brain region associated with learning and memory. So everyone figured these new neurons must help make new memories, although no one knew how.
Working with rodents, researchers watched what happens when they either prevented neurons from being born or made them sprout faster. They found that new neurons help move older memories out of the hippocampus and into long-term storage in the neocortex. Such shuffling, they think, may free up space in the hippocampus and increase its capacity for taking in something new. The new memories in the study happened to be fearful ones, but the researchers think the process applies to all memories stored in the hippocampus. Which means your brain is probably moving stuff around right now so you can remember this story.
—Karen Hopkin
[The above text is an exact transcript of the audio in the podcast.]
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5 Comments
Add CommentThis is unbelievable! The trueness of the research is questionable.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNow it is what are those that can influence the rate of the brain producing new neurons that intrigue me, anyone would please glance at my question and give an answer? Thanks. :)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy question is this : what is the basic unit of memory in the brain, and how is it stored and retrieved from its support?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn my personal point of view, there is nothing called the "basic unit of memory", as memory is not a substance but some particular results that emerge in your mind when some reaction, some stimulation take place upon the nerve. Yet this article do say "make room for new memories" as if they were something corporeal, but, if they were really, then the basic units of them should be some sort of brain cells I think.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBoth the hippocampus and neocortex age with its owners, the same way the micro and macro-vasculatures deteriorate with certain metabolic issues and aging. Most times the standard of care requires placing these patients on statin cholesterol medicine or baby aspirin. I strongly think that we need to pick an age i.e. 50, to recommend memory enhancing remittive therapy, that will keep us mentally productive for the rest of our years on earth. This will take away majority of health expenditures towards age related depression. Benn.
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