New study redefines memory storage in the brain

Researchers have challenged a long-held theory in neuroscience about how the brain remembers sequences. The common belief was that neurons fire in the same order as events occur, such as remembering images shown in sequence. A team led by Prof. Florian Mormann from the University of Bonn conducted a study using data from people with drug-resistant epilepsy. These patients have electrodes implanted in their brains, which allow researchers to record individual neuron activity. This setup provided unique insights that other research has not been able to achieve. During the study, participants performed a memory task while their brain activity was monitored. They were asked to remember and recognize sequences of images. Surprisingly, the results showed that the order of neuronal firing did not correspond to the order of images viewed. Dr. Stefanie Liebe, the study's lead author, expressed surprise at these findings, as they contradicted established theories. The researchers also collaborated with AI experts to deepen their analysis. They used a neural network to replicate the memory tasks. Interestingly, the AI model exhibited brain activity patterns similar to those recorded from the participants. This led to the discovery of a new mechanism for remembering sequences, involving complex interactions between brain signals and image presentations. Prof. Macke, another researcher, highlighted the value of combining human neuron recordings with AI to better understand brain functions. The findings open new pathways for exploring memory organization and the interplay of dynamics in the brain.