At first the associations between neocortical areas that make up a newly formed memory trace are weak, however repeated activation of these areas in succession lead to "consolidation" of the trace within the neocortex. Once consolidation is sufficiently complete, the memory trace becomes mediated through neocortical activity alone and the MTH is no longer necessary for re-activation.
At first, connections between neocortical regions that create a new memory trace are weak. However, repeated activation of these areas in succession results in "consolidation" within the neocortex. Once consolidation is fully established, the memory trace depends solely on neocortical activity and the MTH no longer aids in re-activation.