Forgetting is also a part of learning: A new study on memory

In a world of constant change, forgetting some memories could benefit us, making behavior more flexible and improving decision-making.

Today, in the journal Cell Reports, the researchers present the first in a series of experimental studies investigating how natural, everyday forgetting affects specific memories in the brain.

Let's find out more!

A new study on memory and forgetting

Neuroscientists have recently reported the initial results from experimental tests exploring the idea that forgetting may represent a form of learning, challenging the notion that forgetting is solely negative.

In the past year, these researchers put forth a novel concept, suggesting that alterations in memory access are intimately connected with environmental feedback and the predictability of our surroundings.

This intriguing notion proposes that forgetting might serve as an advantageous feature of the brain, enabling it to engage dynamically with an ever-evolving environment.

Their investigation delved into retroactive interference, a type of memory lapse observed in mice, wherein the emergence of new experiences competes with and supersedes recently acquired memories.

To unravel this cognitive phenomenon further, they harnessed the power of genetic labeling within the mice's brains, specifically tagging the "engram" cells responsible for storing individual memories.

Employing advanced optogenetic techniques, they were able to demonstrate that illuminating these cells with light could effectively resurrect memories that had seemingly vanished into obscurity.

However, the memories themselves remain intact but are not recalled, akin to having a safe with an unknown combination.

Why it's important

The findings from this research carry important implications for diseases such as Alzheimer's, where the brain's natural forgetting processes may be unintentionally triggered by the disease itself.

Moreover, the revelation that "natural forgetting" can be reversed in specific circumstances holds promise for gaining a deeper understanding of these conditions and potentially developing more effective treatments.
 

• Related news:
• research
• learning
• memory
• brain
• 2 September 2023

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