Science solves the mystery of where our memories are stored

Scientists Discover Key Role of Lateral Entorhinal Cortex in Memory Formation - A study on episodic memory

The neurons in the lateral entorhinal cortex that activate upon recall of episodic memory are coloured red, the nuclei of the other neurons green.

A groundbreaking study published in Cell Reports has shed new light on the intricate mechanisms underlying episodic memory. Researchers from the Institute of Neuroscience of the National Research Council (CNR) in Pisa, Italy, and the Bio@sns biology laboratory at the Scuola Normale Superiore, in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, have identified the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) as a crucial player in memory formation and retrieval.

Episodic memory, which allows us to recall specific events, experiences, and their associated contexts, is a fundamental cognitive function. The new research has demonstrated that the LEC plays a pivotal role in this process. By inhibiting neurons in the LEC, researchers found that memory performance was significantly impaired. Conversely, stimulating these neurons facilitated memory recall.

“Using an experimental model, we have shown that the formation of memories is associated with an increase in the number of active neurons in the entorhinal cortex, as well as their increased activity,”