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| Science & Technology |
| Scientists realize where memory comes from |
| 2009-12-28 |
| After years of scientific studies, US researchers in California say they have finally discovered how the human brain forms memories. Scientists at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) told BBC that they have uncovered 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. "One of the most important processes is that the synapses, which cement those memories into place, have to be strengthened," he added. According to Kosik, part of strengthening a synapse involves making new proteins, which can build the synapse and make it stronger. "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," Kosik added. The researchers say their findings could eventually lead to a breakthrough remedy for brain diseases such as Alzheimer's. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Cavemen describing their expertise about fire. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-12-28 08:18 |
| #1 "Scientists realize where memory comes from " I get mine from Fry's Electronics. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2009-12-28 00:12 |