Neuroscience research identifies biochemical basis of memory

Researchers from MX Biotech and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have proposed a new theory regarding the biological basis of memory, suggesting it is a biochemical process rather than a purely electrical one. In a recent paper, Gerard Marx and Professor Haim Gilon argue that memory is not just stored in neuronal synapses but is fundamentally rooted in the brain's extracellular matrix (nECM) and perineuronal nets (PNN).

The study introduces a ‘tripartite mechanism of memory,’ involving neurons, astrocytes that support them, and the surrounding chemical environment including metal ions and neurotransmitters. This biochemical nature explains why human memories are inherently tied to emotions; the interaction between neurons and astrocytes allows for the conversion of thermal energy into mental activity, manifesting as emotional consciousness and physical responses.

Based on these findings, the researchers assert that artificial intelligence remains fundamentally different from natural intelligence. Because AI operates on electronic entities that lack biological emotional states, they argue that no matter how complex an algorithm becomes, it cannot achieve true consciousness or the subjective experience inherent to biological life.