6B - Brain Regions Flashcards
(14 cards)
Types Of LTM
Explicit Memory-
- semantic memory
- episodic memory
Implicit Memory-
- procedural memory
- classical conditioned memory
Explicit Memory
Voluntarily retrieved from LTM
Can be declared or stated to someone else
Semantic - facts, general knowledge
Episodic - personal experiences and events
Implicit Memory
Retrieved without conscious effort
Procedural - simple motor responses, ‘how to’ memories
Classical Conditioned - simple CC responses i.e. fear/anxiety
Brain Structures Involved In Memory
- hippocampus
- basal ganglia
- amygdala
- neocortex
- cerebellum
Encoding
is the process of converting information into a useable form which can be manipulated and stored in the brain
Storage
of long-term memories means that neural representation of the memory is formed in your brain
Hippocampus
- primary involved in encoding explicit (semantic and episodic) memories
- the hippocampus does NOT store memories
- instead, it transfers them to the neocortex for long-term storage
Hippocampus = Consolidation
- a period of time (usually 30 minutes) is required to ensure the experience/memory becomes long-lasting when transferred to LTM for storage.
- consolidation is the neurobiological process of making a newly formed memory stable and enduring following a learning experience.
- once consolidated, encoded memories are not necessarily fixed or unchangeable.
- when a memory is retrieved, it is open to further consolidation and has to be ‘re-stabilised’ through the process called reconsolidation
Amygdala
Role in processing, regulating and retrieving emotional reactions particularly emotions such as fear and anger
Involved in encoding and aids in the retrieval of the emotional components of explicit and classically conditioned memories
When the amygdala detects an experience as emotionally arousing, it signals to the hippocampus that it is meaningful, enhancing the strength of the memory during encoding
Amygdala = Flashbulb Moments
Amygdala contributes to the formation and storage of long-term explicit memories. This is apparent in a specific type of episodic memory known as a flashbulb memory
A flashbulb memory is a vivid, highly detailed and long-lasting memory of an event that is very surprising, consequential or emotionally arousing, often including details of their personal circumstances at the time of the event
Amygdala = CC Fear Response
A considerable amount of research on its role has been on classically conditioned fear responses involving implicit memory
People with damage to their amygdala are typically unable to acquire a conditioned fear response
These individuals are likely to form conscious long-term explicit memories involves the details of the experience (the when and where), but not an implicit memory that would enable them to produce or express the fear response
Neocortex
Involved in long-term storage of explicit memories (episodic and semantic) as well as coordinating the retrieval of aspects of explicit memories
Once the hippocampus encodes explicit (episodic and semantic) memories, they are stored within the neocortex
Memories are stored in locations depending on the type of memory
The frontal and temporal lobes are the main storage areas
Basal Ganglia
Is involved in encoding of long-term implicit memories involving motor skills (procedural memories)
It is connected to the cerebellum
↳ procedural memory is primarily encoded by circuitry linking the motor cortical areas of the brain with subcortical loops through the basal ganglia and the cerebellum
Is involved with processes such as;
↳ unconscious habits - learnt motor patterns that can be performed without full attention and are generally inflexible due to repeated training. Habits can either be adaptive (such as changing physical stance in response to different environmental threats) or maladaptive (such as compulsive hair pulling)
↳ well practised sequences of movement - such as riding a bike, cooking a meal, brushing your teeth
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is involved in fine motor muscle movement, regulation of posture and balance, coordination of movement that require timing and are made with speed, ease and fluency etc… that operate without conscious effort
Therefore, damage to the cerebellum makes it difficult to time and coordinate muscle control for everyday activities like talking, reaching, walking, brushing teeth etc…
Involved in the encoding and temporary storage of implicit procedural memories
Well-learned motor responses are believed to be stored in the neocortex like many other memories
However, cerebellum does encode and store implicit memories of simple reflexes acquired through classical conditioning
