LTM and consolidation

Question 1

How can memory be improved?

Answer 1

1. Prior knowledge
2. Depth of processing
3. Forgetting curve - Most forgetting occur right after learning (consolidation period)
4. Transfer-appropriate processing - If the cues available at recall are similar to the cues available at encoding
5. Free recall is harder than cued recall

Question 2

How do we lose memory?

Answer 2

1. Interference:
   - Proactive interference - Old info disturbs new one
   - Retroactive interference - New info disturbs old one
2. Amnesia
3. Agnosia - Due to a lesion in the sensory cortex, you struggle to recognise objects or faces

Question 3

How is memory organised?

Answer 3

1. Hierarchical semantic network - Mindmap
2. Standard consolidation theory:
   - An episodic memory has different components
   - The hippocampal region links these together over time
   - Eventually it is not needed anymore
3. Multiple trace theory:
   - The hippocampus is always involved in the retrieval and storage of episodic memories
   - Because you need spatial info, which is provided by the place calls in the hippocampus
   - How? If you get input from all the different sensory cortex together the signal is stronger which can generate LTP + Rehearsal during rest and sleep

Question 4

What is the Ribot gradient?

Answer 4

Memory loss of time around the accident but not before

Question 5

What brain parts are involved in LTM?

Answer 5

1. Hippocampus
2. Prefrontal cortex:
   - Neurons fire during delay
   - Support executive functions
   - Prevents interference
3. Cerebral cortex stores semantic memory
4. Medial Temporal Lobes are responsible for declarative memory and memory encoding:
   - Left deals with words and pictures
   - Right only deals with pictures
   - Both are necessary to distinguish false from real memories

Question 6

Amnesia

Answer 6

1. Transient global amnesia - Temporary, due to a blood flow interruption
2. Anterograde amnesia - Medial Temporal lobes seuzure
3. Retrograde amnesia - Due to bilateral hippocampal damage
4. Korsakoff Syndrome - Failure to recall items or events from the past, due to lack of vitamin thiamine
5. Alzheilmer’s:
   - Failure of recent memory, impairment of recent memory functions and attention, failure of language skills, visual-spatial orientation, abstract thinking and judgement, personality change follows
   - Abnormal protein senile plaque + gradual loss of neurons