Memory engrams: Recalling the past and imagining the future

In 1904, Richard Semon introduced the term "engram" to describe the neural substrate for storing memories. An experience, Semon proposed, activates a subset of cells that undergo off-line, persistent chemical and/or physical changes to become an engram. Subsequent reactivation of this engram induces memory retrieval. Although Semon's contributions were largely ignored in his lifetime, new technologies that allow researchers to image and manipulate the brain at the level of individual neurons has reinvigorated engram research. We review recent progress in studying engrams, including an evaluation of evidence for the existence of engrams, the importance of intrinsic excitability and synaptic plasticity in…

• HH
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• JF
  JPB Foundation
• CI
  Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research

  Award: FDN-388455
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health

  Award: 1 R01 MH119421-01
• RB
  RIKEN Brain Science Institute