engram

n.
A physical alteration thought to occur in living neural tissue in response to stimuli, posited as an explanation for memory.

[German Engramm : EN-² + Greek -gramma, -gram.]

An altered state of living tissue that is believed to underlie memory. An engram may occur as a permanent trace left by a stimulus in nervous tissue. An example of an engram is a specific, learned, and memorized motor pattern stored in both the sensory and motor portions of the brain, that can be replayed on request.

A physical brain change, supposed to take place as a result of experience, and to represent memories. The physical basis of memory is not, however, known.

(Published 1987)

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