Memory

Question 1

Define declarative memory

Answer 1

Declarative memory: what we remember and can consciously declare, that is, put into words, like for example yesterdays weather or what you had for breakfast this morning

Question 2

Define non-declarative memory

Answer 2

Non-declarative memory:the memory for how to do things; largely unconscious, you cannot easily put such memories into words, like for example how to ride a bicycle or drive a car

Question 3

What is the most scientifically grounded way of categorizing declarative memory, and, which brain structures are most strongly associated with our ability to learn and remember new facts?

Answer 3

• Immediate memory: few seconds
  
  • Working memory: few minutes
  • Long-term memory: Up to lifetime

Most our knowledge on memory and its anatomical substrate relates to declarative memory:

- Hippocampal Formation (hippocampus)  Enorhinal Cortex

Question 4

Name a brain structure that is damaged in Korsakoffs syndrome, and briefly explain clinical features of this syndrome.

Answer 4

Diencephalic amnesia:
Damage to the anterior thalamus and/or the mammilary bodies

Can be caused by:

• Korsakoffs syndrome (alcohol induced)
• Surgery (removal of cysts)
• Accidents (fencing, billiard

Question 5

Why did neuroscientists start to believe that the hippocampus is important for our ability to form new declarative memor

Answer 5

*Removal of Hippocampus, have shown the loss of long-term memory.

Question 6

Define Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 6

is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks

Question 7

What are the three main pathological hallmarks on Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 7

include “positive” lesions such as amyloid plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, neurofibrillary tangles, and glial responses

Question 8

Name factors that are believed to be important for the development of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 8

Age: Age is the single most significant factor. ...
Family history. ...
Down's syndrome. ...
Head injuries. ...
Cardiovascular disease

Question 9

Name a brain region that is affected already at a preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 9

disease typically destroys neurons and their connections in parts of the brain involved in memory, including the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus