Unconscious memory discovery could help brain injury patientsRSS Feed

Scientists have located where unconscious memories are formed in the brain, in a study which looks likely to help patients with brain injury in the future.

Researchers from the University of California-Davis have found that a small area deep inside the brain known as the perirhinal cortex is responsible for the formation of unconscious conceptual memories.

While brain injury to the hippocampus had an impact on declarative memory, it did not affect conceptual memories, researchers found.

However, those with brain injury to the perirhinal cortex performed poorly in tests designed to assess their conceptual memories, said the study, published in the journal Neuron.

Lead author Wei-chun Wang describes unconscious memories using the example of looking at a beach scene and then it coming back to you later when someone talks about surfing.

A declarative memory, on the other hand, would be remembering being on the beach and watching the surfing competition.

This comes after researchers from the University of California San Diego found that cooling the brain could be a way for doctors to reduce brain injury.

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Posted by Timothy Walters

 

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