Abstract

The identification of memory engrams remains a methodological obstacle in neuroscience if they are to play the explanatory role ascribed to them by engram theory. I tackle the problem of specificity, namely the extent to which engrams can be identified, tracked, and distinguished from other engram and non-engram vehicles. I propose that adopting causal specificity from the interventionist framework of causation allows us to describe how engrams are specific to the memories and behaviors they generate. Drawing on recent work using information-theoretic measures to describe causal specificity, I illustrate how this approach can be used to model the reduction of uncertainty about retrieved memories following optogenetic interventions on engram cells.