Chapter 4 Flashcards
(34 cards)
What condition did Henry Molaison (H.M.) suffer from after his childhood head injury?
Severe seizures
What surgical procedure did H.M. undergo to stop his seizures?
Removal of most of his medial temporal lobes, including both hippocampi
What was the consequence of H.M.’s surgery on his memory?
Permanent amnesia, preventing him from forming new conscious memories
What type of memories could H.M. still recall after his surgery?
Past events, childhood scenes, and historical facts
What remained intact in H.M. despite his memory loss?
Intellect, personality, and perception
What type of new skills could H.M. learn despite his amnesia?
New motor skills (e.g., tracing patterns)
What significant role did H.M.’s case provide evidence for in neuroscience?
The role of the hippocampus in converting short-term memories into long-term ones
What are the two main types of memory?
Declarative Memory and Nondeclarative Memory
What does declarative memory include?
- Semantic memory
- Episodic memory
What is semantic memory?
Facts, concepts, general knowledge (e.g., historical dates, definitions)
What is episodic memory?
Personal experiences, sensory details, emotions tied to events
What does nondeclarative memory include?
- Procedural memory
What is procedural memory?
Learned skills (e.g., riding a bike, speaking)
What brain structure is responsible for converting short-term memories into long-term storage?
Medial temporal lobe (including hippocampus & parahippocampal region)
What role does the amygdala play in memory?
Processes emotional memory
What brain structures are involved in movement-related and behavioral memory?
- Striatum
- Cerebellum
What is the role of the cerebral cortex in memory?
Organizes, consolidates, and retrieves memories
What occurs in the dentate gyrus related to memory?
Neurogenesis
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?
Strengthens synapses for memory consolidation
What is long-term depression (LTD)?
Reduces synaptic strength to refine memory storage
What molecules are involved in synaptic plasticity?
- Glutamate receptors (NMDA and AMPA)
- Calcium ions
- CREB protein
What could understanding synaptic plasticity lead to?
Treatments for neurological conditions like PTSD or methods to improve learning and memory
What brain chemical is closely linked to love and bonding?
Oxytocin
