New Research for Long-Term Memory Formation

Local research has shed light on new areas of the brain thought to be critical to how we form long-term memory.

Study co-author, Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang from the Queensland Brain Institute said that in the past, identifying where in the brain memories were consolidated was difficult, given the “highly spontaneous” nature of the process.

However, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on mice, researchers found two types of spatial memory training which led to distinct functional brain connections – contesting the idea that only the area of the brain known as the hippocampus was involved in memory consolidation.

“We found the connections made the brain more integrated and shared a network involving the sensory cortex and subcortical areas,” said Dr Chuang in a story with The University of Queensland.

“By identifying and manipulating the hubs within the spontaneous networks, we have shown there are more brain regions involved in memory formation than previously assumed.”

The findings are an important step in helping to build a picture of the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive decline, amnesia and other memory-related disorders.

Dr Chuang said the findings showed both the causal and functional roles of neural network hubs, as well as how to use MRI to locate them.

“By detecting and targeting specific hubs within the brain’s spontaneous networks, we may one day find ways to enhance or suppress memory consolidation and treat memory related conditions such as dementia or post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Dr Chuang.

Check out the full story via The University of Queensland, or refer to Nature Communications for further details.