Memory persistence: From fundamental mechanisms to translational opportunities

Abstract

Memory is a fundamental attribute of animal cognition that allows individuals to store and retrieve information about past experiences. The interplay between the processes of maintenance and inhibition enables memory to fulfill its primary role, to use previous experiences to optimise decision-making and fitness in a constantly evolving and unpredictable environment [1]. Current hypotheses state that memories are stored through maintenance of synaptic connections between neuronal subgroups and are not immutable. They can be challenged by active forgetting, and retrieval-dependent mechanisms triggered by memory prediction error; as well as subject to decay via inhibitory processes that limit memory persistence. The balance between maintenance and inhibition mechanisms will ultimately determine memory existence, modulating its strength and duration. Here we review the neurobiological mechanism of memory formation, persistence and forgetting with evidence from human and non human animals.