The results of experiments on zebrafish have debunked a myth that has been popular for 40 years about how memories are made in the brain.
Scientists from the University of Southern California (USC) were able to track in real time how memories are born in the brain of zebrafish. They observed synapses in the brains of fish under a microscope.
As it turned out, in the process of creating memories, synapses from one part of the brain disappeared, but arose in other parts. At the same time, the more often such a situation appeared, the stronger the synaptic connection was created.
Previously, experts believed that synaptic connections would either weaken or strengthen. They were surprised when they found that the brain was removing old connections and making new ones.