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engram

memory
Also known as: memory trace

Quick Summary

An engram is a hypothetical change in neural tissue that accounts for the persistence of memory. It is essentially a memory trace.1

In psychology, memory is categorized into short-term and long-term types. Long-term memory refers to information stored and retrieved from the brain over extended periods. This can include factual knowledge, skills, motor movements, and emotions.2

The brain structures involved in long-term memory include the hippocampus and temporal lobe, which facilitate the consolidation of new information into the cortex. Researchers believe engrams exist as neural networks, where linked cells create new connections, aiding memory formation and retrieval.2

It is important to note that the term "engram" also has a specific meaning within Scientology, referring to a mental image of a past experience that causes negative emotional effects.3

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