Memories are stored in our brain as connections between neurons, so called memory traces. But how are these traces created? ZNZ researcher Urs Gerber and his group challenge existing concepts.
Memory traces are formed by strong electrical impulses, according to existing theories. But in fact, these strong impulses are rarely detected in the hippocampus – the area of the brain responsible for the formation of memories. ZNZ scientists Frederico Brandalise and Prof. Urs Gerber discovered that in fact weaker, but much more frequent impulses are responsible for the storage of memories in the brain.
More (German text)
Mossy fiber-evoked subthreshold responses induce timing-dependent plasticity at hippocampal CA3 recurrent synapses.
Brandalise F, Gerber U. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Feb 18 Open pdf