4. learning, memory, and emotions Flashcards
H.M.
Led to understanding that learning and memory are tied to biological processes. Following childhood blow to the head, developed seizures and underwent an experimental procedure that removed sections of his medial temporal lobes, including most of his hippocampi. Seizures abated, but was left with permanent amnesia. Could remember events before surgery, but was unable to form new memories
Now know that medial temporal lobe, which includes hippocampus and parahippocampal regions, works with other regions of cerebral cortex regarding memories
Declarative memory
Facts, data, events. Explicit because you consciously recall and describe the information. Semantic or episodic
Semantic memory
Cultural knowledge, ideas, and concepts accumulated about the world. E.g., names of capitals, vocabulary, how to add, dates of historical events. Involves cortical regions beyond hippocampus
Episodic memory
Personal experiences
What brain region mediates emotional significance attached to memories of events?
Amygdala
How is the “what” of episodic memories encoded?
Parahippocampal region aids hippocampus
Semantic and episodic memory are examples of what form of declarative memory?
Long-term
Did H.M. struggle with long-term declarative memory, and why or why not?
He did not, because it is stored throughout a large network of cortical areas
Working memory
Short-term declarative memory
Brain’s capacity for long-term vs short-term memories
Brain seems to possess unlimited capacity for long-term memory, but short-term memories are limited to small amounts of information for small periods of time. Accessible while being processed and manipulated, but unless transferred to long-term memory, will decay after a few seconds
Did H.M. struggle with working memory, and why or why not?
He did not, because it is coordinated by the PFC
Spatial memory - neural basis
Navigational memories involved in creating mental maps are tied to place cells in the hippocampus. Grid cells, located in entorhinal cortex (area near hippocampus), represent coordinates that allow the brain to track your position in space
Nondeclarative memory
Implicit/procedural memory. Stored and retrieved without conscious effort. Used when performing learned motor skills.
Did H.M. struggle with nondeclarative memory, and why or why not?
Did not lose this type of memory, still able to acquire new motor skills despite not being able to remember doing them before
3 important brain areas to nondeclarative memory
Basal ganglia (“habit centre”), PFC, and cerebellum (involved in motor control and coordination)
