'Brain stars' store our memories like a microscopic filing cabinet

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes play a crucial role in storing and retrieving memories. These "brain stars" work together with neurons to form memory engrams. In mouse experiments, activating specific astrocytes triggered fear responses, showing their importance in memory recall. The gene Nuclear factor I-A (NFIA) was found to be essential for astrocytes to retrieve memories. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for memory-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease and PTSD.