HealthAugust 13, 2026

engram

EN-gram

Definition

A physical trace or structural pattern in the brain that stores a specific memory.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'en' (in) and 'gramma' (something written or drawn). It was coined in the early 20th century to describe the theoretical physical mark left on the brain by an experience.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the physical architecture formed by groups of neurons that must be preserved for memories to persist, even when other individual brain connections are pruned away.

Memory may not work how we thought, study of mice in artificial hibernation finds

Read the full article ↗

Live Science

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