Important Discovery In Brain Activity

Have you ever wondered what the brain actually does when you remember something? It’s actually quite simple, as the process is electricity sparking between neurons in different brain cells. We know how it works, but just imagine being able to see it happen.

Researchers in a joint effort from America and Israel were able to finally record the process of short term memories coming to light. Until now it was only theory that this process was what caused memories to be remembered.

The study was conducted with epilepsy patients, and was actually a quite simple procedure. When epileptics have to have surgery, their brains are fed with tiny electrodes so doctors can find where the brain’s activity is being performed. It’s with this process that the researchers were able to locate the brain cells responsible for our short term memories.

When the electrodes were implanted, researchers showed each of the patients different clips of television shows. Then after awhile, they would begin to ask questions about the show, and they could record the brain activity when the patients responded. When this happened, they were finally able to locate where in the brain the process was happening. And actually see it happening.

The findings of something like this is extraordinary. With the knowledge of knowing how and where our short term memory is occurring, we can use it for other research. Alzheimer’s is the most obvious application in which this discovery will make its’ mark. Since Alzheimer’s affects short term memory more than other brain functions, this recent research could provide much needed information. Let’s hope that it can do just that.

[via: NYT]