How memories are formed is an enduring puzzle. Two studies further implicate a process by which synapses in the brain are made weaker, as well as stronger, and provide pointers as to how the two phenomena are regulated. A WIDELY held belief among neurobiologists— although one without much direct experimental support — is that memories are stored as patterns of synaptic strengths. Two papers from groups led by Mark Bear, one which appeared last month, the other on page 526 of this issue, shed lighton how synaptic strength is modified by experience and thus on how memories might be formed.
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