How humans store memories is 'cornerstone of our intelligence'

Scientists believe they may have discovered the'cornerstone of human intelligence', and it is all down to how we create and store memories. Previous research shows animals use a technique called'pattern separation' which stores memories in separate groups of neurons in the hippocampus. This stops them from getting mixed up, and it was believed humans probably use this technique as well. But a new study by experts at the University of Leicester shows the same group of neurons in the hippocampus store all memories. This key difference, the researchers say, could be the single factor which allowed our intellect to surpass that of other animals.