Neurobiology: Hidden memory

The existence of repression was proposed by Freud over a century ago, but it remains a controversial topic, not least because of its connection to recovered memories of childhood abuse that have been subconsciously repressed. Forensic experts can be found who will explain how it works. Others will testify to its nonexistence. A related phenomenon is suppression, involving a conscious element in the repression of a memory. A serious of behavioural studies designed to elucidate the effects of intentional suppression during memory retrieval demonstrates that executive control processes not related to trauma can provide an explantation for the suppression of unwanted memories.

How do the memories get there in the first place? The adult brain is known to generate new neurons throughout the life span. Shors et al. present evidence that these newly generated neurons are involved in the formation of some types of new memories.

Neurogenesis in the adult is involved in the formation of trace memories
TRACEY J. SHORS, GEORGE MIESEGAES, ANNA BEYLIN, MINGRUI ZHAO, TRACY RYDEL, ELIZABETH GOULD
Nature 410, 372-376 (15 March 2001)
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Neurobiology: New memories from new neurons
JEFFREY D. MACKLIS
Neurons are born throughout adulthood in specific regions of mammalian brains. It now turns out that - in rats at least - these new neurons are essential for the formation of one type of memory.
Nature 410, 314-317 (15 March 2001)
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Suppressing unwanted memories by executive control
MICHAEL C. ANDERSON, COLLIN GREEN
Nature 410, 366-369 (15 March 2001)
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Cognitive neuroscience: Repression revisited
MARTIN A. CONWAY
The idea that unwanted memories can be repressed has been controversial. An adaptation of an old technique provides an unambiguous model for exploring memory repression in the laboratory.
Nature 410, 319-320 (15 March 2001)
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15 March 2001 table of contents