A recent study from the University of Chicago has challenged traditional views on synaptic plasticity and its role in storing memories. Scientists have long believed that when two neurons fire together, their connection becomes stronger, but new research suggests this may not be the only rule at play.
Researchers focused on the hippocampus, a brain area essential for memory, and found that patterns of activity and neuronal representations change significantly as animals become more familiar with new environments. Surprisingly, these changes continue even after learning, albeit at a slower pace.
The study discovered that different rules of synaptic plasticity, including Behavioral Timescale Synaptic Plasticity (BTSP), play a significant role in shaping hippocampal activity during familiarization. BTSP is triggered by large jumps in calcium levels inside cells and appears to be more impactful than traditional Hebbian Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) in explaining place field dynamics.
The researchers found that these dynamic changes in neuronal representations could help the brain distinguish between similar memories, which is crucial for avoiding pathological memory confusion associated with neurological and cognitive disorders. These shifting representations may encode subtle differences in experiences, such as setting, odors, or time, allowing the brain to track slight changes in an environment.
The study provides new insights into synaptic plasticity and its role in memory formation, highlighting the importance of considering multiple rules of brain activity in understanding how memories are recorded in the brain.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-upends-traditional-views-synaptic-plasticity.html