[Memory, brain, a machine for learning and rememberingy]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Evolutionary Biology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Previous research traced the evolutionary emergence and growth of memory in mammalian nervous systems, linking it to hominization.
• The human brain, particularly the cortex, is characterized by an advanced capacity for memory formation and utilization.
• Newborns possess an unprogrammed but highly adaptable brain, emphasizing the role of learning and memory in development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the dominant role of memory within the human brain.
• To describe memory as a cortical attribute involving the engraving of neuronal circuits.
• To explain the mechanisms of memory creation and its significance in brain programming.

Main Methods:

• The study is theoretical, building upon previous evolutionary and neurobiological findings.
• It analyzes the functional role of memory in cortical organization and information processing.
• The paper discusses the impact of learning and central brain system influence on memory formation.

Main Results:

• Memory is defined as the engraving of neuronal circuits within the cortex, formed through information analysis, repetition, or increased brain activity.
• The human brain functions as a memory machine, with each cortical area serving as a memory territory.
• Learning and remembering are essential for the organization and programming of the immature human brain.

Conclusions:

• Memory is a central and defining attribute of the human cortex, essential for cognitive function and development.
• The brain's organization and capacity for learning are fundamentally dependent on memory pathways.
• Lesions in specific cortical areas result in targeted memory deficits, highlighting the localization of stored information.