A group of Korean researchers say they've unraveled the mystery of how memory is retrieved and reconstructed in the human brain.

The team led by Seoul National University Professor Kaang Bong-kiun said it has discovered that when memory is retrieved, the so-called ubiquitin-proteasome system triggers a weakening of the synapses that store memory in code form.

Professor Kaang said neurons in the synapses utilize the ubiquitin-proteasome system to help weaken a special protein that aids in the release of stored memory for use.

He said scientists may one day be able to alter or delete memory altogether by preventing or controlling the system's activation.

Kang's findings have been published in the latest online issue of Science magazine.