Recent research from DANDRITE challenges the traditional Hebbian model of memory formation, suggesting that experiences unrelated to a specific memory can nonetheless strengthen that memory through a process called heterosynaptic plasticity. This finding could lead to innovative therapies aimed at enhancing memory and learning for individuals with cognitive challenges. Historically, memory retention methods, such as the extreme practice of throwing a child into a river to ensure they remember significant events, reflect an understanding of the importance of strong emotional responses in memory formation. Traditional memory models posited that synapses strengthen only through the simultaneous activation of neurons—summarized as “neurons that fire together, wire together.” However, the latest research shows that synaptic changes can also occur at neighboring synapses not directly activated during the original experience, influenced by subsequent non-related experiences that provoke strong emotional responses. This insight suggests that memory formation is not confined to the exact moment of an experience but can be enhanced by both prior and future events. By elucidating the mechanisms by which weak memories can be fortified, the study sets the stage for developing new learning technologies and effective treatments for cognitive impairments
