Scientists figured out how the brain consolidates memory

Scientists investigated how, when encountering a familiar face, the name, place and memories turn into a single uninterrupted memory, even though they are processed in separate lobes of the brain. University of California San Diego researchers recorded the electrical activity of 1,373 neurons through electrodes placed in the brains of 35 patients treated for refractory epilepsy.

Memory tests tracked high-frequency rhythmic electrical bursts called 'ripples', reaching 90 vibrations per second and lasting just a tenth of a second.

In the research, it was determined that these fluctuations were triggered simultaneously in the furthest points of the brain and in both hemispheres. It was determined that by capturing a common rhythm, the probability of simultaneous signal transmission between neurons with a distance of up to 22 centimeters increased by 30 to 49 percent.

Dr. is the lead author of the study, which evaluates the synchronized functioning of cells in different regions. Regarding the process, Ilya Verzhbinsky said, "Synchronously firing neurons represent the brain's power to combine data. While visual identity is resolved in one region, name records are kept in the other region. The resulting rhythmic harmony opens an instant line between the farthest points, allowing the cells to act as a common team."

Researchers stated that the rhythmic connection between different points of the brain does not depend on a single command center. According to experts, this situation is similar to people in a hall starting to applaud at the same time and in the same rhythm without any signals.

Stating that the frequency of simultaneous signals increases as the memory load increases, the scientists stated that they will continue to examine the functioning of this mechanism in healthy brains and to investigate whether it can be a new target in the treatment of memory disorders.