In 1920, Dr Richard Semon only broadly defined the engram, which most scientists consider synonymous with the term "memory trace." He further refused to give a precise definition based on a lack of physiological information at that time. Nearly a century later, are we able to provide the precise definition Semon was not prepared to give? Have technological advances made it possible to localize an engram, or is a memory trace the emergent property of coordinated mechanisms at several levels of organization, from genetic and molecular processes to systems and cognitive-behavioral levels of function?
It is increasingly clear that multiple forms of change occur across local cell assemblies and widely dispersed networks from cortical, subcortical, and thalamic pathways. The localization of multiple retention systems in subcortical circuits show independent, parallel, and interactive memory systems. Competitive and cooperative interactions occur depending on the combination and complexity of external inputs and internal operating characteristics of different forms of associative learning, influencing, and converging efferent systems.
The definition and search for the engram has led to contradictory ideas and potentially misleading claims. We invite authors of all specialty areas within the neurosciences to submit reviews, opinions, and original research to help clarify the current state of the Engram.
We encourage the inclusion of different kinds of conceptualization about the organization of learning, as well as different approaches, levels of analysis, and description using different techniques (e.g., imaging, genetics, electrophysiology, pharmacology, computational, lesions) in human and non-human subjects, and different theoretical perspectives in order to integrate and express our current state of knowledge.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to sleep states, oscillatory activity, interactions of neurons and glia cells, molecular (epi)-genetic expression, spatio-temporal components in signal transduction, the recurring states of memory formation, consolidation, stability, and reconsolidation over time.
In addition to this effort to more clearly define the current state of knowledge, this Research Topic aims to answer several questions about engrams. Are engrams static entities as implied in some reviews or do they cycle through periods of quiescent inactivity and trace preservation to active times of recall, and internal/external reassembling of mnemonic representations? What is the difference between activity patterns in the brain during learning, plasticity, and the memory networks that ultimately guide particular behaviors?
The call for multi-level contributions is intended to encourage greater understanding of the activity and functions that not only depend on advances in technology but also on the limitations that provide the insight and inspiration for future advances in technology, research design and conceptual models of the dynamic processes behind the synergistic, emergent engram and the components of plastic change.
*Cover image source, Devan et al. (2018), "The Emergent Engram: A Historical Legacy and Contemporary Discovery" Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Fig. 1
In 1920, Dr Richard Semon only broadly defined the engram, which most scientists consider synonymous with the term "memory trace." He further refused to give a precise definition based on a lack of physiological information at that time. Nearly a century later, are we able to provide the precise definition Semon was not prepared to give? Have technological advances made it possible to localize an engram, or is a memory trace the emergent property of coordinated mechanisms at several levels of organization, from genetic and molecular processes to systems and cognitive-behavioral levels of function?
It is increasingly clear that multiple forms of change occur across local cell assemblies and widely dispersed networks from cortical, subcortical, and thalamic pathways. The localization of multiple retention systems in subcortical circuits show independent, parallel, and interactive memory systems. Competitive and cooperative interactions occur depending on the combination and complexity of external inputs and internal operating characteristics of different forms of associative learning, influencing, and converging efferent systems.
The definition and search for the engram has led to contradictory ideas and potentially misleading claims. We invite authors of all specialty areas within the neurosciences to submit reviews, opinions, and original research to help clarify the current state of the Engram.
We encourage the inclusion of different kinds of conceptualization about the organization of learning, as well as different approaches, levels of analysis, and description using different techniques (e.g., imaging, genetics, electrophysiology, pharmacology, computational, lesions) in human and non-human subjects, and different theoretical perspectives in order to integrate and express our current state of knowledge.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to sleep states, oscillatory activity, interactions of neurons and glia cells, molecular (epi)-genetic expression, spatio-temporal components in signal transduction, the recurring states of memory formation, consolidation, stability, and reconsolidation over time.
In addition to this effort to more clearly define the current state of knowledge, this Research Topic aims to answer several questions about engrams. Are engrams static entities as implied in some reviews or do they cycle through periods of quiescent inactivity and trace preservation to active times of recall, and internal/external reassembling of mnemonic representations? What is the difference between activity patterns in the brain during learning, plasticity, and the memory networks that ultimately guide particular behaviors?
The call for multi-level contributions is intended to encourage greater understanding of the activity and functions that not only depend on advances in technology but also on the limitations that provide the insight and inspiration for future advances in technology, research design and conceptual models of the dynamic processes behind the synergistic, emergent engram and the components of plastic change.
*Cover image source, Devan et al. (2018), "The Emergent Engram: A Historical Legacy and Contemporary Discovery" Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Fig. 1