Memory Information

How does memory save and access memory?

Since I know few details of neuroscience, I’m going to try to keep this at a distance of somewhat generalized concepts of function (including assumptions), despite the degree of science involved in the subject. The brain seems to record all memories via sensory perception. Somehow the external sensory organs seem to take measurements of the particular sense that they perceive. This measurement seems to be transmitted to the brain, to be recorded and stored as information. 

Assuming neurons and synapses are the method of storing the information about the measurements from the senses, the brain seems to do this by using certain combinations of neurons and synapses that represent the measurements. If certain regions of the brain are used for certain types of measurements from the senses, than it seems this could be a method of memory storage and recall. When the brain receives a measurement, it would fire to a certain combination of neurons and synapses within the designated area (for that type of sensory measurement). Every time the senses receive that measurement, the connection becomes stronger and easier to access, between the specific neurons and synapses for that combination. Perhaps memory is simply specific combinations of neurons and synapses being fired. 

If there are different regions of the brain designated for different types of sensory measurements, it seems each measurement on its own could trigger memory recall, via that regions particular combination of neurons, but multiple regions (each with their own recall of neuron combination) being triggered simultaneously, could create macro combinations, for more complex memories. 

For eg, if 1 region of the brain is used to store measurement of color (light wavelengths), then every time you see blue, the same combination of neurons will be activated. If another region stores measurement of visual shapes, every time you see a circle, that combination of neurons will be activated. If you see a blue circle, a macro combination of both regions combinations may be saved as a more complex memory. 

If more measurements are perceived by the senses, such as; size, pattern of surface, texture, etc, then more regions, each activate a neuron combination. When all of these are perceived at the same time, a macro combination is activated, of all of the regions and their particular neuron combination. As more information within a certain situation, is stored from the senses taking more measurements, and transferring it to neuron combinations, larger macro combinations are saved, which represent complex memories. 

Memories become even more complex when they involve a time span. If memories are only recordings of measurements, then how is a memory of movement or an action recorded? Movement occurs over a time span, so recording movement, seems it must be recordings of measurements which are changing. To access memory of changing measurements, perhaps a sequence of neuron combinations are fired. The sequence of successive combinations of neurons would represent the sequence of successive measurements (via senses). It seems to require some quantity of time span for accessing memory of a time span. The time it takes to access a memory depends on how many sequential measurements are stored as information, and how much time it takes to fire the successive combinations of neurons. 

Accuracy of recorded measurements depends on focus. Focus seems that it can be done physically, using sensory perception organs (eg. motion of the eyes), or psychologically (such as tuning into a certain sound). Perhaps accuracy of quantity of recordings is limited, so that only certain combinations of neurons will be fired. This adds value to that neuron combination, since it being accessed will cause it to be prioritized, as a result of connections between neurons and synapses being strengthened from use. 

If certain measurements (out of all the simultaneous sensory perceptions) are prioritized, then the neuron combinations which represent those measurements will be strengthened, relative to other combinations. Without focus, too many measurements would be recorded, and too many neuron combinations would be activated, causing access to all combinations to be strengthened. If too many combinations are strengthened, then next time a particular measurement is perceived, the additional combinations will be activated, causing recall of irrelevant memories. 

It seems plausible that all memories are stored and recalled as information, using combinations of neurons and synapses. If certain areas of neurons are designated for certain types of sensory measurements, then every time a measurement is perceived again, it would fire the same combination of neurons as it did when recorded, causing memory recall. Macro combinations of combinations would represent more complex information of memories, and sequences of these combos would represent memories of a time span. The complexity of the function of neurons in the brain, may be about at par with the complexity of Memory Information.