Memories are thought to use coding schemes that dynamically adjust their representational structure to maximize both persistence and efficiency. However, the nature of these coding scheme adjustments and their impact on the temporal evolution of memory after initial encoding is unclear. Here, we introduce the Segregation-to-Integration Transformation (SIT) model, a network formalization that offers a unified account of how the representational structure of a memory is transformed over time. The SIT model asserts that memories initially adopt a highly modular or segregated network structure, functioning as an optimal storage buffer by balancing protection from disruptions and accommodating substantial information. Over time, a repeated combination of neural network reactivations involving activation spreading and synaptic plasticity transforms the initial modular structure into an integrated memory form, facilitating intercommunity spreading and fostering generalization. The SIT model identifies a nonlinear or inverted U-shaped function in memory evolution where memories are most susceptible to changing their representation. This time window, located early during the transformation, is a consequence of the memory’s structural configuration, where the activation diffusion across the network is maximized.

The Segregation-to-Integration Transformation (SIT) model provides a framework for memory transformation based on changes in the neural network properties. SIT posits that memories shift from highly modular to less modular network forms over time, driven by neural reactivations, activation spread, and plasticity rules. The SIT model identified a critical period, shortly after memory formation, where reactivations can induce significant structural modifications. As repeated reactivation passes, the network becomes more stable and integrated, becoming more resistant to change, thus preserving the core information while reducing the likelihood of distortion or loss.

Neural network, Modularity, Memory, Consolidation, Reactivation, Plasticity
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Author notes

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Handling Editor: Michael Cole

© 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license
2024
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For a full description of the license, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.