Most people cannot recall memories being a baby, nor their infancy. However, some people claim they can remember things that happened the first year of their lives. Researchers Yale and Columbia University in the United States studied why people have no recollection things that happened in the first four or five years their lives. The research team also investigated whether or not babies formed memories all. Researcher Dr Tristan Yates suggested we may not be able to remember being a baby. He said: "Our results suggest that babies' brains have the capacity forming memories, but how long-lasting these memories are is still an open question."
The research has been published the journal "Science". It suggests that babies as young as a year old can form and store memories. Researchers used a specially designed scanner to observe activity an area of babies' brains called the hippocampus. This is where memories are created and stored. The research found that babies can form limited types memories the age two months. It is possible that infants can detect patterns people's faces, language and daily routines. However, episodic memory, which allows us to recall specific events, may take longer to form. The researchers say this kind memory may not occur until the hippocampus has more fully matured.
