Mice Hibernation Reveals Surprising Memory Retention Despite Synapse Loss

New research from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has uncovered fascinating insights about memory retention in mice. When a hibernation-like state was induced, more than half of the mice's synapses were lost, yet they retained their memories.

Neuroscientist Kazumasa Tanaka explains that the connections between neurons, which form memories, are highly plastic and can change significantly over short time frames. This experiment, part of a study published in Science, challenges our understanding of memory storage, suggesting that lasting memories can endure even when the neural connections fluctuate dramatically.

Source: arstechnica.com