Uncovering the Hidden Players in Brain Memory Formation

Neurons have long been considered the primary cells involved in memory formation, but a new study in rodents suggests that pericytes, cells found in the blood vessels of the brain, play a crucial role in collaborating with neurons to form and store long-term memories. Pericytes produce a protein called insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) in response to neuronal activity, and this production is necessary for successful memory formation. Understanding the cooperation between different cell types in memory formation could advance therapeutics for memory-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. Further research is needed to explore the involvement of pericytes in memory formation in humans.