A new study has shown that the brain retains memories from childhood amnesia into adulthood, even when we can't consciously recall them. The discovery changes our understanding of how childhood memories are formed and stored, and opens up new perspectives on the development of memory.
Scientists previously believed that young people's brains were not yet mature enough to form lasting memories, but new research has shown that memories are stored in networks of neurons. When we try to recall, these neural connections are strengthened. However, the researchers note that the lack of language in early childhood may limit the ability to consciously recall memories.
One of the most interesting aspects is that the details of early memories can vary depending on cultural background and upbringing. Studies conducted on children from different cultures show that even early memories can vary depending on how often parents ask questions and have conversations with the child. For example, in Ukraine and the United States, children can recall their first memories at an average age of 3.5 years, while the Chinese remember them a little later.
Interestingly, New Zealand Maori people have their first memories a few months earlier, at around 2.5 years of age. This, scientists believe, may be due to their culture's strong tradition of oral transmission of knowledge and stories, which stimulates memory development at an early age.
Research has also confirmed that early childhood trauma can have serious consequences for mental health, increasing the risk of developing anxiety and depression in the future.
So memories formed during childhood amnesia are actually stored in the brain, and although they are not conscious, their impact on our lives can be profound. These findings raise questions about why we don't have access to these memories and why memories formed before the age of 7 decay more quickly than in adults.
