Addis Ababa, June 19, 2026 (FMC) — Chinese neurosurgeons have identified a key mechanism behind how human memories are formed, revealing that memory consolidation happens much faster than previously believed. The breakthrough is expected to open new pathways for treating memory-related disorders.
Researchers at China Medical University, working with neurosurgeons, found that memory formation is not a single continuous process but a series of coordinated stages involving different parts of the brain. The study challenges the long-held assumption that memory consolidation is a slow, prolonged process, according to TV BRICS, citing its partner outlet Science and Technology Daily.
Using stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG), scientists monitored the brain activity of 14 patients with intractable epilepsy over a six-day period while they engaged in learning and recall tasks.
The results showed that the most critical phase of memory formation occurs much earlier than previously thought—beginning as early as the first night after learning new information.
According to Professor Zhang Chunqing, one of the study’s authors, the hippocampus initially acts as a “commander,” directing the cerebral cortex to encode new information through high-frequency brainwave activity. However, during sleep, a gradual transition takes place.
“This handover of command occurs overnight,” explained co-author Wang Lukang, referring to the shift in control from the hippocampus to the cerebral cortex, which later dominates the retrieval of stored information.
From the following day onward, the cerebral cortex takes over the primary role in memory retrieval, marking a fundamental shift in how the brain manages stored experiences.
Researchers say this discovery reshapes scientific understanding of memory consolidation and provides promising directions for medical innovation. It could contribute to the development of therapies and drugs aimed at improving memory performance and slowing cognitive decline.
The findings are particularly significant for conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries, where memory function is often impaired.
Scientists believe the breakthrough lays a foundation for future treatments designed to enhance memory efficiency and support patients with neurological disorders.