I read somewhere that in order for a memory to be stored in the human brain, a synapse has to be strengthened.

Question

What is the chemical that causes those synapses to deteriorate? And is it a chemical that the human body could live without?

Answer 1

I don't believe that any "scientist" knows how memories are stored. I think that they have some areas of the brain mapped so that if they stick an electrode in that area, a memory will come into the persons mind.

A synapse is the connection between an axon and a dendrite. Each neuron (nerve cell) has at least one tentacle coming off of the front, or head, of the cell and several coming off of it's tail. The ones in the front are called dendrites and the ones at the tail are called axons.

Many of the dendrites of one cell are connected to axons of other nerve cells. The transmission of information in the brain occurs when a neuron "fires" and an electro-chemical wave flows from the head to the axon/s at it's tail.

When this happens the axon produces a chemical (Neuro-chemical) that flows across the tiny gap between it and an the dendrite of another neuron causing it to fire. This gap is called the synaptic cleft.

I have never heard of strengthening a synapse. There are some conditions that can cause a axon to not produce enough of the chemical (also called neuro-transmitter as well as neuro-chemical) to cross the synaptic cleft to cause the other neuron to fire. This is what is the cause of the illness, Depression.

I don't know if any of this is helpful but I hope it helps you to understand what goes on in nerve transmission and how the synapse plays it's part.

Answer 2

Synapses are the space between neurons. It is difficult to strengthen a synapse. If you have neurons that are damaged, the electrical impulses will find a way around and create a new path. Same if we are learning-it creates a new path.