Abstract

Memory is central to human cognition, governing everything from basic survival instincts to complex reasoning. Recent advances in neuroscience have unraveled the intricate neural networks and molecular mechanisms that encode, store, and retrieve memories. This article explores the biological basis of memory, categorizes its types, discusses the role of the hippocampus and neocortex, and presents modern experimental tools including optogenetics, neuroimaging, and artificial intelligence-based analysis. Furthermore, it investigates how memory disorders like Alzheimer’s disease disrupt these processes, and reviews the future potential for memory enhancement and neuroprosthetics.