Memories, far from being static, continually evolve in response to new experiences and information. This discovery, the result of research published in the journal Nature, offers important insights into how the human brain manages memory, with potential applications in understanding disorders such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The study was conducted by a team from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and involved the observation of mice.
According to Denise Cai, coordinator of the study, the traditional view holds that memories are formed during learning and remain intact over time. However, research shows that this view is limited.
“Our work highlights how the brain not only stores memories, but also flexibly updates them,” Cai explains. “This combination of stability and flexibility is crucial for interacting with an ever-changing world.” The findings suggest that the brain consolidates and stabilizes memories after each experience. However, in traumatic situations such as an electric shock, it does not simply recall the negative event, but also tries to recall related experiences from the previous days.
One of the most surprising aspects of the study concerns when this reworking of memories occurs. Contrary to popular belief, the connections between events are not predominant during sleep but occur mainly when the animals are awake. This leads to stimulating questions about the different roles that sleep and wakefulness play in memory processes. The research has thus opened new avenues to investigate the complexity of human memory and its clinical implications.
The future of neuroscience could benefit greatly from these discoveries. Understanding how the brain actively updates memories could not only improve therapeutic strategies for dealing with trauma and mental disorders, but also help us better understand human adaptation to everyday challenges. In an era where collective experiences are rapidly changing, the brain’s ability to remain flexible becomes a key element in psychological resilience.
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