Brain coding on the move: neurons drift and stable behavior endures
Researchers document representational drift: over days to weeks, individual neurons change how they respond to stimuli, even as behavior remains stable; this challenges the idea of fixed neuronal roles and suggests that memory and perception may rely on population dynamics rather than single-cell codes. Drift rates vary by brain region and may help timestamp memories or integrate new information, with implications for memory disorders and brain–computer interfaces. The exact function is still debated and likely involves multiple mechanisms, including synaptic turnover and plasticity.
