For the first time, scientists have observed how individual neurons in the human brain store memories without being connected to a specific context. This discovery could help explain why humans are capable of abstract thinking, unlike animals. Researchers at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute in Spain found that human neurons react the same way when recognizing a person or object, regardless of the situation. In contrast, animal neurons respond differently based on their surroundings, meaning the same object can activate different neural patterns depending on the context.
Scientists studied nine epilepsy patients in Argentina and the U.K. who had electrodes implanted in their brains as part of their treatment. This gave researchers a chance to observe individual neurons in real-time, something not possible with standard brain scans, such as fMRI. Patients were shown images of familiar people in different story settings while scientists recorded how their neurons responded during memory formation and recall.
In most animals, memory is context dependent. If a rat sees the same object in two different places, its brain activates different neurons each time, creating separate memories. This helps animals adapt but limits their ability to think beyond specific experiences. The study revealed that in humans, neurons in the hippocampus and amygdala, regions of the brain responsible for memory and emotion, responded consistently to the same person or object, regardless of the context.
Patients’ neurons reacted the same way to a celebrity no matter which story they appeared in. This happened in 97 percent of neurons during memory formation and 100 percent during recall. These results challenge previous neuroscience theories that assumed human memory functioned like animal memory. Instead, they suggest that humans store memories in a distinct way that may play a role in intelligence.
Dr. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga, who led the study, believes this discovery could be a major reason why humans think the way they do. He explained that, unlike animals, humans store memories in a more abstract way, allowing them to remember things without being tied to a specific situation. This ability makes it easier to connect ideas, apply knowledge in different contexts and think more complexly. It may also be a key reason why humans are capable of creativity, problem-solving and higher-level thinking.
For years, scientists thought human memory worked similarly to animal memory, just in a more advanced way. These results challenge that idea, showing that humans may process information in a completely different manner. Researchers believe that the ability to remember things without depending on context may be what enables higher-level thinking in humans. It might also explain why humans can recognize faces, understand abstract concepts and apply knowledge in new situations.
These findings bring up new questions about how the human brain evolved to develop these unique abilities. Scientists are unsure if this skill is connected to language development or if it stems from another evolutionary change. The study could also have real-world benefits in neuroscience. A better understanding of how humans store and recall memories might help researchers create new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline.
Though the study was conducted on a small group of patients, it provides important insights into how the human brain functions. Future research hopes to build on these findings and explore the connection between memory, intelligence and abstract thinking. This discovery is a significant milestone in understanding what makes human cognition unique.
