SMRTR Science & EngineeringMay 6, 2026Live Science

The brain's memory center doesn't start as a blank slate, study suggests

SMRTR summary

The brain's memory center — the hippocampus — doesn't start blank at birth but instead comes "prewired" with dense, hyperconnected neural networks that gradually get pruned as we mature. This overconnected early wiring may explain why childhood memories are so vague: young neurons fire too easily, creating overlapping, imprecise memories. As connections become sparser and more structured with age, memories become sharper and more distinct.

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