The discovery that new neurons are born in the adult brain overturned decades-old dogma in neuroscience. But it also raised a host of questions about what exactly these neurons do (Science, 17 February 2006, p. 938). Now the authors of a new study suggest that the newcomers clear away the remnants of old memories to make room for new ones.
The brain’s hippocampus is a bit like a secretary’s inbox: Although many memories start out here, they eventually get filed to the neocortex for permanent storage. That’s why the famous patient H.M., who had his hippocampus removed in experimental surgery for epilepsy, could remember events prior to his operation despite being unable to form any new memories afterward (Science, 26 June, p.1634).
Full story at Science Now
I think I need a brain clearout after the last few weeks!
There’s another man like that, who is a fantastic pianist, and remembers how to play the piano, but has no short term memory whatsoever, I believe his name is Clive Wearing. It’s saddening, but fascinating at the same time. The brain is amazing.
Very clever, there are a few memmories that I wish my brain would clear out!
So what Homer Simpson says is true!
it’s just clearing out temp files – we are computers
My brian is fixated with mammories.
Imagine having part of your brain removed as an “experiment”. That makes me afeared of science.
Hm … so maybe some just dont have a neo cortex .. hahaha …
Transferring stuff around mid life .. in your brain … yes .. it starts already way before 40 though.. and indeed .. all useless stuff needs to be refreshed as it is not in there anymore .. a fresh new life you’d say huh? If only the interest and drive would have been the same .. It is kinda different. Our secretaries up there decides quite quickly that it is all spam .. and presses delete .. A different approach .. storage works different .. or doesn’t it?
The fuller the life .. the more we know .. the less we know .. etcetera .. etcetera ..
Our personalities decide what we will safe (more easy or not that easy or not at all).
By the time you’ve crossed the canal mid life .. you will know more about how your brain works than before, that’s for sure.
It is funny, the thousands of little things that happen to a person over a day, things that may make them think “Hm, thats amusing” but the don’t stick with us. Now we know why… Wish the bigger things could just go away too, sometimes…