Memories are thought to be represented in the brain by the 'memory trace' — altered levels of activity in specific neurons and synapses in a neural network. In this Review, Silva and colleagues discuss emerging evidence that the neurons and synapses involved in encoding a particular memory are not random but are specifically 'allocated' based on complex molecular signatures that are determined by the recent activity history of the neuron.
- Thomas Rogerson
- Denise J. Cai
- Alcino J. Silva
