Recovering memories from the brain of someone who has passed away seems like a fascinating concept, but it poses significant challenges due to the complexities of human memory. Neuroscientists have identified the physical locations where memories are stored in the brain, but retrieving these memories is likely to be technically difficult.
According to experts, memories are encoded by groups of neurons in specific areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus for short- and long-term memories. These neuronal connections create a unique neural network that mimics the way the brain works. However, this approach would require a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s brain, which is still not fully available.
To recreate a memory, scientists would need to activate specific neurons connected by synapses to form an approximate neural network model. Nevertheless, this method has limitations due to the dynamic nature of memories and their subjective interpretation. Memories are not static files that can be replayed; they’re imbued with meaning and perspective, influenced by individual experiences.
Currently, there’s no straightforward solution to retrieve memories from a dead person’s brain. While researchers have successfully identified engrams – physical locations where memories are stored in mouse brains – applying this knowledge to humans is far more complicated. As Dr. Charan Ranganath noted, “Memory is very reconstructive” and is often influenced by prior experiences and interpretations.
The scientific community continues to explore ways to understand human memory, but for now, it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to recover memories from a deceased person’s brain.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/memory/could-we-ever-retrieve-memories-from-a-dead-persons-brain