Scientists have discovered the neural connection between memory and hearing in the brain
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- Scientists have discovered the neural connection between memory and hearing in the brain
Neuroscientists at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (Australia) have discovered a neural circuit connecting the memory and hearing systems in the brain. A study revealing the mechanism by which accumulated knowledge controls sensory perception was published on June 4 in the journal Medical Xpress.
The team, led by Professor Lucy Palmer, trained mice to distinguish between similar sounds in the "go — don't go" task: some sounds required an active response, others — abstinence. After the animals learned the rule, the researchers analyzed what was happening in their brains with the correct answers.
"We have identified a distant cortical circuit connecting the memory and sensory perception systems. Our results provide valuable insights into the cellular and network mechanisms that support learning and memory—guided sensory behavior," explained Professor Palmer.
The key discovery was that the peririnal cortex, a structure of the medial temporal lobe associated with memory, sent powerful signals to the auditory cortex precisely at the moments of correct reactions to sound. This means that the auditory system does not just perceive sound, but accesses memory stores to interpret its meaning.
This finding explains the phenomenon of generalization: a person or animal does not have to relearn the meaning of a sound every time. Instead, the brain recognizes a changed signal — for example, another car horn — and applies the already learned rule of behavior through memory.
The authors point out that understanding this mechanism opens up new perspectives for studying memory disorders, including dementia, and may form the basis for developing therapies targeting specific areas of the brain.
In an interview with Izvestia on April 2, Vladislav Konkin, a psychotherapist and supervisor of the Department of Psychotherapists at the Three Sisters Clinic, spoke about the hidden signs of autism in adults. According to him, such patients may have difficulty understanding indirect communication, such as hints, irony and flirting. In particular, they may experience increased fatigue from communication and social interactions.
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