Researchers from the University of Santa Barbara, studied the mechanism of cellular changes that occur in the brain, when it stores the information. According to scientists, the understanding of cellular processes in the brain that facilitate the creation of new products that will improve memory. The report in the journal Neuron, the scientists say that the first time they were able to study the central processes encode memories that occur at synapses.
"When we learn something new when we store memories in the brain are multiple operations. One of the most important processes is that the synapses are strengthened and straightened. Given the evidence can be judged on memorization of a fact" - said Kenneth Kozik, one of the study's authors and director of neuroscience at the University of Santa Barbara in the U.S.. "When you build synapses strengthen new connections and most of them encode certain memories. those synapses that have been strengthened and the basis for developing new relationships are likely already carry some memories. Strengthening synapses is a very important part of learning and teaching, "- he said. To been strengthened synapse, it must begin the synthesis of new proteins, making it stronger and longer.
Scientists say that this process can be compared to growing muscle - when we raise the weight in muscle fibers brings new proteins, a basis for the additional muscle mass. However, speaking about the brain, it is necessary to make an important point: to the synapse started production of proteins associated command must come from RNA. As long as the RNA is "silent", the reproduction process will not start.
"When something gets into your brain - a thought, a kind of stimulus, you see or hear something - always is activated synapses. Here's what happens next until now has been a mystery. In our studies, we descended to the level of neurons and cells, "- he says. According to them, when the brain receives input, proteins begin to degrade and break down, the same RNA instructs the synthesis of new proteins, which reinforces synapse."
The interesting thing is that the formation of memories should be running the degradation of proteins, previously we did not know it" - says Kozik.
