Most people remember where they were when the twin towers collapsed in New York … new research reveals why that may be the case.

A study led by the University of Edinburgh has shed new light on the biological mechanisms that drive the process, known as flashbulb memory.

Memory boost

The research involving mice reveals how attention-grabbing experiences activate a specific area of the brain, which then releases memory-boosting chemicals.

The findings help to explain why people retain information better if something distracts their attention either just before or just after a memory is stored in their brain.

Learning insights

Experts say the research could bring fresh insights to support learning in the classroom.

Little surprises happen all the time in subtle ways that reflect our personal lives and interests. Somehow, the novelty of surprise creates a halo of better memory for all the otherwise trivial events of one’s day that we ordinarily forget. Our research suggests that a skillful teacher may be able to take advantage of these little surprises to help pupils learn and remember. Professor Richard Morris Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems, University of Edinburgh

Everyday memories

The study focused on how everyday memories – such as remembering names or items on a shopping list – are stored in the brain. In mice, one equivalent is remembering the location of a food source.

Mouse study

Researchers placed mice in an arena to search for hidden food that changed location each day.

They found animals that had a new experience within 30 minutes of being trained to remember the food location – such as exploring an unfamiliar floor surface – were better at remembering where to find food the next day.

Dopamine

The phenomenon is linked to release of a chemical called dopamine from an area of the brain known as the locus coeruleus, the team showed. This area of the brain is particularly sensitive to new experiences, they found.

They showed that brain cells in the locus coeruleus carry dopamine to another area of the brain called the hippocampus, which controls the formation of memories.

Brain link

Dopamine is well known for its role in memory formation. Much research has focused on the source of dopamine and what triggers its release in the brain.

This is the first study to establish a link between the locus coeruleus and the hippocampus.

The study, led by the University of Edinburgh, also involved scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern. It is published today in the journal Nature.

Related links

Journal article

Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems

Edinburgh Medical School