A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that the brains of mice physically link memories formed close together through changes in the dendrites of neurons, rather than in the cell bodies. This discovery explains why events from the same day often feel connected while those from weeks apart seem more isolated.
Researchers at Ohio State University used advanced imaging techniques to observe memory formation in mice exposed to two different environments in quick succession. They found that the same dendritic branches were activated when closely timed experiences were encoded, effectively binding the memories together. This finding offers new insight into how memories are organized and may inform therapies for memory-related disorders like Alzheimer’s.
The study focused on the retrosplenial cortex, a brain region crucial for spatial and contextual memory. The researchers observed that linked memories consistently engaged the same groups of RSC neurons and their dendritic branches. They also found that the formation of new memories triggered the addition of clustered dendritic spines, which strengthened communication between neurons and facilitated learning.
The discovery has significant implications for understanding how memories are formed and can be manipulated. It may lead to new approaches for treating memory-related disorders and expand our knowledge of higher-order memory processes. The study was led by Assistant Professor Megha Sehgal, who noted that the findings “expand our understanding of how memories are formed but also suggest exciting new possibilities for manipulating higher order memory processes.”
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/dendrites-memory-proximity-28506