13. Memory I Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is memory?
An internal representation of past events stored in the brain
Memory can be considered as both a process and a system that involves encoding, storing, and retrieving information.
What is an engram?
A group of neurons that become active when we encode information and reactivate when we recall it
Engrams are thought to represent the physical basis of memory in the brain.
What are the two main approaches to memory research?
Top-down and bottom-up approaches
Top-down focuses on behavior and functions, while bottom-up studies molecular mechanisms.
What approach does the lecturer follow in memory research?
A middle-out approach that connects both top-down and bottom-up perspectives
This approach allows for a more integrated understanding of memory.
Define Declarative (Explicit) Memory.
Facts and events we consciously recall
It is mediated by the hippocampus and medial temporal lobe.
Which brain regions are associated with Declarative Memory?
Hippocampus and medial temporal lobe
Damage to these areas can impair the ability to form new declarative memories.
What happened to Patient H.M. regarding Declarative Memory?
He could not form new declarative memories after bilateral hippocampal removal
Patient H.M. is a key case study in understanding the role of the hippocampus in memory.
What is Procedural (Implicit) Memory?
Skills and habits
It is mediated by the basal ganglia and supports automatic, repetitive behaviors.
Which brain region is associated with Procedural Memory?
Basal ganglia, including the caudate nucleus
Procedural memory is preserved in individuals like Patient H.M.
What is Priming in the context of memory?
Increased recognition of previously encountered stimuli
It is mediated by the neocortex and is often used in advertising.
What is Classical Conditioning?
Associative learning
Examples include eye-blink conditioning (cerebellum) and fear conditioning (amygdala).
What key evidence did Patient H.M. provide?
Different memory systems exist in different brain regions
H.M.’s ability to learn motor skills despite an inability to form new declarative memories supports this.
What is the significance of the study comparing Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s patients?
Demonstrated double dissociation between memory systems
Alzheimer’s patients had impaired hippocampus but could learn intuitive tasks, while Parkinson’s patients had impaired basal ganglia but could remember training episodes.
What role does the hippocampus play in memory?
Crucial for declarative memory and processes complex information
It allows for flexible memory across different contexts.
What is the role of the amygdala in memory?
Critical for fear learning and emotional memory
It connects memory systems with the body and interacts with the prefrontal cortex for fear regulation.
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
Important for procedural memory and habit formation
It is impaired in Parkinson’s disease and necessary for repetitive, automatic behaviors.
How are short-term and long-term memory characterized?
They exist on a continuum and are not clearly divided
Even short-term memory tasks may require the hippocampus if they involve increased complexity.
Fill in the blank: The hippocampus is crucial for _______.
declarative memory
The hippocampus is essential for forming new declarative memories.
True or False: Procedural memory is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease.
False
Procedural memory is typically preserved in Alzheimer’s patients.
