Neuroscientists are divided if memories can be extracted from the preserved brain

Can memories really be read in the brain structure alone? However, A global survey of neuroscientists reveals a surprising agreement on certain points. However, and sharp divisions on others, with implications for the preservation and future emulation of the brain.

Investigation: What are the memories made of? In addition, A study of neuroscientists on the structural basis of long -term memory. Similarly, Image credit: Vitalii vodolazskyi / Shutterstock

A recent article published in the journal Plos a Neuroscientists have studied to. Meanwhile, assess their beliefs on how memories are stored.

The recall of long -term memories allows its behavior to be shaped by the experience of a life. Therefore, Previous experiences must create a certain form of a trace of memory in the brain so that this is possible.

The evidence suggests that long -term neuroscientists divided if memories can memories are preserved by relatively static and stable neurophysiological aspects. In addition. Moreover, long -term memories could be recalled even after an extension of global neuronal inactivity and depolarization, for example, during the deep hypothermal circulatory arrest.

This distinction highlights that the formation. Consequently, recall of memory are based on different processes, the formation disturbed by the inhibition of protein synthesis but the recall are not affected once the memories are established.

This means that the retention of long -term memories does not require a continuous global electrophysiological activity. Meanwhile, Neuroscientists have suggested structural candidates at the physical basis of long -term memory. Meanwhile, such as synaptogenesis, alterations of synaptic force, alterations of neuronal excitability, intracellular phosphorylation, epigenetic changes and axonal myelinization changes, as well as net and extracellular matrix and extracell perinonals.

Engrams, the neurophysiological substrates responsible for long -term memory, have been actively prosecuted in the last decade. neuroscientists divided if memories can For example, Despite technological progress in the artificial manipulation of engrams. the demands of consensus according to which memories are stored in sets of synaptic connections, the extent of unanimity in the neuroscientific community on the neurophysiological basis of long -term memory is not clear.

Neuroscientists divided if memories can

Study. results

In this study, researchers studied neuroscientists on the structural basis of long -term memories. The investigation was carried out between August. October 2024 in two neuroscientist cohorts: 1) of participants in computational neuroscience and systems (COSYNE) with a summary listed in conference booklets between 2022 and 2024, and 2) researchers with publications linked to the neurophysiology of memory, IE, IEM.

The survey included 28 questions in six areas: demography. theoretical implications for memory storage, the structural basis of long -term memories, feasibility of whole brain emulation, brain preservation and familiarity and comfort with subjects addressed. A row correlation analysis neuroscientists divided if memories can assessed the relationships between participants’ answers to the various questions. A total of 312 neuroscientists responded, approximately three -quarters ending all the compulsory sections of the survey.

They were initially asked if they thought that the extraction of information from a specific. non -trivial long -term memory of a static synaptic connectivity card was theoretically possible. More than 45% of respondents agreed that this would be possible, but 32.1% disagreed. When several choices were presented for the additional information necessary for reading the memory. “the measures of the neural activity in dynamic evolution” was the most common choice. Other current selections included contextual information on experiences and mental states, as well as sensory inputs and motor exit.

In addition, most participants (70.5%) have agreed that long -term memories are maintained by synaptic forces and neural connectivity models. In addition. participants were invited to provide subjective probability estimates on the question neuroscientists divided if memories can of whether the information related to memory could be theoretically extracted from the brain preserved using available techniques, for example, the stabilized aldehyde stabilized (ASC). The median estimate of the subjective probability for this issue was 41%. However. the distribution was bimodal, with peaks close to 75% and 10%, showing that the views were strongly divided rather than grouped around the median.

Beliefs on the physical basis of memory. a) Answers to the question “To what extent do neuroscientists divided if memories can you agree with the following statement:” Given the scientific knowledge supposed to exist. it would be theoretically possible to read the information corresponding to at least a specific non-trivial memory from a static snapshot of the structure (including biomolecules) of the entire brain of an organism. “B) Responses to the question” Some neuroscientists have suggested that. although molecular and subcellular details play a role, the majority of information for long -term memories are probably physically stored in the brain at the level of neural connectivity models and sets of synaptic forces (EG, Poo et al., 2016). To what extent do you agree with the following statement: “The structural base of long-term memories consists mainly of lasting changes in neuronal connectivity. sets of synaptic forces, rather than in molecular or subcellular details.” c) Views of participants on the critical scale for the coding of memory in the brain.

In addition. neuroscientists divided if memories can the estimation of the median probability was 40% for the question asking if an entire brain emulation was theoretically possible using a preserved brain, assuming only the generic knowledge of the electrophysiological properties of the neural subtypes. The median probability increased to 62% in a scenario where active recordings could be taken before brain preservation.

To the question asked by which year an entire brain emulation would exist for mouse. man or Caenorhabditis elegansThe median estimate predicted that a brain would be emulated around 2045 for C. elegans2065 for a mouse, and 2125 for a human. The researchers found that the opinions of the participants did not vary according to their main approach to neuroscience. that is to say theoretical, humid or both.

In addition, the level of education of participants had no significant effect. However, there were significant relationships between the theoretical points of view of the respondents and neuroscientists divided if memories can their practical predictions. In other words. the probability estimates to extract information on long -term memories of a preserved brain have been associated with the theoretical points of view of the participants.

These probability estimates were robustly correlated with the belief of participants in the theoretical possibility of memory extraction from the structure of the static brain. the possibility of an entire brain emulation without dynamic recordings. However, preservation expertise, the expertise of neurious modeling or expertise in memory was not correlated with ASC probability estimates. A small but significant negative correlation was observed with age (ρ = −0.23), indicating that older participants tended to attribute lower probabilities to successful memory extraction from the preserved brain.

Neuroscientists divided if memories can

Conclusions

In short. the results highlighted the beliefs of the neuroscientific community concerning the physical basis of long -term memory. Most participants have approved that long -term memories are maintained neuroscientists divided if memories can by synaptic forces. neural connectivity models rather than subcellular or molecular details. However, there was no consensus on which scale or neurophysiological characteristic is essential to store memory.

Certain borders have emerged. such as a general agreement that biomolecular states at the atomic level are not relevant, while subcellular structures with a resolution of around 500 Nm should be included. Between these scales, however, no clear consensus has been reached.

The correlation analyzes have also shown that beliefs on the emulation of the whole brain. the extraction of memory were closely linked, showing internal coherence between theoretical positions and practical predictions.

Overall, these results have implications for theoretical neuroscience and technological developments aimed at preserving and extracting information related to memory.

The authors have also noted significant limitations. in particular low response rates to the survey, the hypothesis of ideal preservation conditions and the restricted cohorts studied. They also pointed neuroscientists divided if memories can out that potential ethical. societal implications, such as mental privacy and extension of life via cerebral emulation, justify special attention.