Share on Pinterest Do all our cells have a type of memory, and if so, how might this influence health? We investigate. Design by MNT; Photography by Grant Faint/Getty Images & Ed Reschke/Getty Images.

New clues have emerged in the mystery of how the brain avoids ‘catastrophic forgetting’ — the distortion and overwriting of previously established memories when new ones are created.

Dr Harrington said: "Memories of unpleasant experiences can intrude into conscious awareness, often in response to reminders. "While such intrusive memories are an occasional and momentary ...