Chinese scientists have recently discovered a finger-nail-sized area inside the human brain which is believed to be closely related to human learning and memory capacities.

Experts believe the discovery provides new clues for research into the mechanism of some learning and memory hindrance diseases, and will help toward a cure for senile dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Shu Siyun, a professor of neurological science at the Guangzhou-based First Medical University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, discovered a group of spindly cells in the brain of a rat in the 1980s.

He named the area a "marginal area", as it is on the margin of the striate body, which is the memory center of the brain.

Today, this marginal area is known internationally as " Shu's area".

"The area must have different functions to other areas inside the brain, as its cells are different in shape," said Shu.

Shu's recent research shows this marginal area also exists in the brains of human and other mammals, and plays a role in the learning and memorizing process of the human brain.

Experts say Shu's discovery may also unveil the mystery of how the other "memory modules" of the human brain, including previously discovered hippocampus and amygdaloid nuclei, are interconnected, as the newly discovered area is located at the center of these "modules".

Shu and his colleagues are still studying more unknown areas of the human brain.

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2001)