Neurons involved in learning, memory preservation less stable, more flexible than once thought
Now, the findings of a Harvard Medical School study conducted in mice challenge that model, revealing that the neurons responsible for such tasks may be less stable, yet more flexible than previously believed. The results, published Aug. 17 in the journal Cell , cast doubt on the traditional notion that memory formation involves hardwiring information into the brain in a fixed and highly stable pattern. The researchers say their results point to a critical plasticity in neuronal networks that ensures easier integration of new information. Such plasticity, the researchers said, allows neuronal networks to more easily incorporate new learning, eliminating the need to form new links to separate neurons every time. Furthermore, they said, once a memory is no longer needed, neurons can be more easily reassigned to other important tasks. "Our experiments point to far less stability in neurons that link sensory cues to action than we would have expected and suggest the presence ...