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social memory

·February 8, 2025·7 min read

Mitochondria’s Role in Social Memory May Offer Clues to Brain Disorder

Researchers have identified a unique mitochondrial process in CA2 neurons that supports learning, memory, and social recognition. Mitochondria in different parts of these neurons vary in structure and function, with those at the outermost synapses relying on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) for plasticity. Deleting the MCU gene disrupted this plasticity, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining neural connectivity.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 20, 2024·4 min read

Brain’s Dual Code for Social Memory Unraveled

Researchers discovered how the brain simultaneously recognizes new and familiar faces while recalling specific details about known individuals. Through mouse studies, the team identified that the CA2 region of the hippocampus uses distinct neural activity patterns to differentiate between novel and familiar social encounters.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 6, 2023·3 min read

The Cerebellum is Key to Unlocking Social Memory Woes

Researchers made a pivotal discovery about the cerebellum's role in social recognition memory, potentially revolutionizing treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. By modulating cerebellar activity in preclinical models, they found it crucial for retrieving social information, a function often deteriorating in dementia patients.

This is a drawing of different people all linked together

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 17, 2022·5 min read

Social Media Could Open Doors for Studying Memory

Social media presents a new way for researchers to study memory. User-created media can evoke memories of emotion, location, time and other memory content all at once.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 9, 2021·2 min read

Exploring Differences in Mitochondria of Memory Cells in the Brain

A new NIH grant will allow Virginia Tech researchers to explore the mechanisms of social memory in the hippocampus.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 18, 2021·8 min read

Serotonin Stabilizes Social Memories

Serotonin-producing neurons in the brainstem release serotonin throughout the brain during moments of novel social encounters. The release of serotonin stimulates neurons in the medial septum via a subtype of serotonin-sensitive receptor molecules. Blocking the release of this receptor molecule prevents the formation of new social memories.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 5, 2018·5 min read

Friend or Foe? Brain Area That Controls Social Memory Also Triggers Aggression

A new study reports the CA2 region of the hippocampus controls both higher order cognition, like social memory, and instinctual behaviors, such as aggression. The findings could shed light on why abnormal social behaviors may occur in schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 15, 2017·4 min read

Potential Mediator for Social Memory Formation

Neuropeptide Substance P may help mediate social memory in the CA2 area of the hippocampus, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 30, 2016·5 min read

Researchers Identify Neurons Devoted to Social Memory

Ventral CA1 neurons in the hippocampus store memories of acquaintances, a new study reports.

Image shows a drawing of a rat looking at a maze.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 11, 2016·6 min read

How the Brain Makes Informed Decisions Based on Experience

In order to make informed choices, rats replay past experiences, a new study reports.

The image shows the CA1 and CA2 regions of the hippocampus.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 12, 2016·4 min read

Tweaking Brain Circuit Boosts Social Memory

Researchers use optogenetics to tweak neural circuitry and enhance social memory in mice.

Image shows inhibitory neurons in the CA2 region of the hippocampus.

Electrophysiology Featured Psychology

·January 6, 2016·4 min read

Loss of Hippocampal Cells Linked to Schizophrenia

A new study reports social memory deficits in schizophrenia may be a result of a decreased number of inhibitory neurons in the CA2 region of the hippocampus.