Recent studies deepen the understanding of neural mechanisms underlying memory and brain function. Research highlights the interplay of the human insula and hippocampus in memory encoding. Mapping of electrophysiological causal links between thalamic and cortical regions elucidates brain connectivity. Voltage imaging uncovers inhibitory interneuron dynamics during hippocampal memory processes. Noradrenaline’s role in enhancing amygdala memory precision for similar events has also been demonstrated. These advances reveal complex neural networks and neurotransmitter effects shaping cognition.