Rebecca Manzi Si è sempre pensato che non ricordiamo i primi anni di vita perché l’ippocampo non è ancora maturo, ma nuovi studi suggeriscono che i bambini siano effettivamente capaci di immagazzinare ricordi
One of the great mysteries of the human mind is our inability to remember the early years of life. For a long time, this phenomenon, known as childhood amnesia, was believed to be due to the immaturity of the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for long-term memory.
However, recent studies have challenged this theory, suggesting that young children are indeed capable of storing memories, but that these may fade over time or remain inaccessible in adulthood.
New research conducted at Yale University has shown that infants possess a more developed memory capacity than previously thought. By studying the brain activity of children under two years old, scientists observed that their hippocampus is capable of processing and storing information. This finding contradicts the idea that the brain is not yet ready to retain memories during the first few years of life.
Two main hypotheses on the table
At just three months old, babies use a form of memory called statistical memory, which allows them to recognize patterns and recurring structures in their surroundings. This type of learning is essential for the development of skills such as language and visual perception.
Research suggests that infants do not limit themselves to this type of memory: they are also capable of storing episodic memories, meaning personal experiences tied to specific contexts.
If infants can form memories, why don’t we retain them into adulthood? Researchers are considering two main hypotheses:
-
Memories are not transferred to long-term memory, so they fade over time without leaving a lasting trace.
-
Memories remain in the brain, but become inaccessible as we grow, perhaps because language and cognitive development change the way we retrieve information. This second hypothesis opens up the fascinating possibility that childhood memories may not have truly disappeared, but are simply difficult to bring back to conscious awareness.
Understanding the workings of memory in the early years of life could help clarify not only the phenomenon of childhood amnesia but also the mechanisms of learning and brain development. Ongoing research suggests that childhood memories may persist longer than previously believed, possibly into adulthood, even if they remain hidden deep within the mind.
Fonte: Science
