If brain cells keep renewing themselves, why do we still have the same thoughts and memories of our childhood?

Answer 1

There are obviously a couple things at work here.

First, obviously it can be said that no single neuron is responsible for a memory. If that were the case, we would inevitably lose all our memories past a certain time as neurons were lost and replaced over time.

Second, reinforcement works in your brain to strengthen pathways that are relevant and eliminate ones that are irrelevant. This can work even for a new brain cell added onto an old memory path. It can be whipped into shape until it corresponds to the previous pathways. BUT only if you take the time to remember things! Things you never think about are never reinforces and DO tend to be forgotten over time!

Third, I would argue that you DON'T really have the same thoughts and memories from childhood. Not like you have memories from yesterday. Almost invariably childhood memories are fuzzy around the edges, filled with different emotional flavourings, and in some cases as much fabrication as memory (a case of reinforcing something that's slightly askew).

So the old adage applies: use it or lose it! Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Because it is not the individual cells which preserve memory but the complex patterns that they arrange themselves in that holds our memories. When cells are replaced, the brain structure remains the same--that is how our memories are maintained.

Answer 3

Because your brain cells dont erase your memory. Thats like saying since your skin cells renew themselves why dont your skin change colors.

Answer 4

Brains cell do not renew or regenerate. the childhood memories stick because they were the 1st data "encoded" in our brain cells. as we grow old , the effectiveness of "encoding" data deteriorate which makes our childhood memories last longer than more recent memories. this probably explains why alzheimer's patients tend to remember more "older" memories than more recent ones.

Answer 5

Brain cells do not renew themselves. They are the only cells on the body that don't...

Answer 6

because even those thoughts of our childhood are new thoughts, kinda. they cells just put them together everytime. it's hard to explain. read "Mind Catcher". can't remember who wrote it, when i get home, i will check and write you again. it explains it in one of the chapters about this concept. i'll let yoiu know which one. it's pretty accurate. kinda like, we're just getting a memory of our memory. just read it, you'll see.

Answer 7

It's a relay race.

They pass on the baton

Answer 8

Good backup system.