engram

American  

[en-gram] / ˈɛn græm /

noun

1. a presumed encoding in neural tissue that provides a physical basis for the persistence of memory; a memory trace.

---

engram British  

/ ˈɛnɡræm /

noun

1. psychol the physical basis of an individual memory in the brain See also memory trace

---

Other Word Forms

• engrammic adjective

Etymology

Origin of engram

First recorded in 1905–10; en- ² + -gram ¹

Example Sentences

In line with a well-established approach, which originated in the early 20th century, the team models the fundamental building blocks of memory: the memory "engrams."

From Science Daily

Specific memories are encoded by groups of neurons called engrams.

From Science Daily

Usually, engrams are made up of a sparse number of neurons, but the stress-induced memory engrams involved significantly more neurons.

From Science Daily

As memories form,neurons that happen to be activated closely in time become a part of the engram and strengthen their connectivity to support future recall.

From Science Daily

The researchers were able to reverse the amnesia to allow the mice to remember the lost memory using lasers to activate the engram cells.

From Science Daily