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PSYC 355 > Memory > Flashcards

Memory Flashcards

1
Q

Define memory

A

the processes by which information is encoded, stored and retrieved for the purposes of remembering the past, informing current behaviour and planning the future

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2
Q

Name the 3 stages of memory as well as a short description about each

A

Encoding: converting the info acquired by your senses into patterns of activity within groups of neurons within the brain
Storage: retention of information acquired by your senses
Retrieval: recollection of information stored in memory

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3
Q

What is the “tip of the tongue” phenomenon?

A

a type of retrieval failure accompanied by the strong feeling that temporarily forgotten info is one the verge of being recalled

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4
Q

What is sensory memory?

A

persisting representation of a sensory stimulus for a brief period after it is no longer physically present

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5
Q

Name the 3 main types of sensory memory as well as the cortical areas in which they are mainly processed

A
  • Visual: iconic memory (visual cortex)
    • Auditory: echoic memory (auditory cortex)
    • Tactile: haptic memory (somatosensory cortex)
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6
Q

Describe iconic memories (how much time they are stored for, example)

A

Iconic memories
Stored for less than 500 milliseconds
Essential to detect changes in the environment
• Ex: writing name in the air with a sparkler

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7
Q

Describe echoic memories (how much time they are stored for, example)

A

Echoic memories
Persist up to 10 seconds
• Ex: keeping track of speech during a conversation

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8
Q

Describe haptic memories (how much time they are stored for, example)

A

Haptic memories
Approx. 2 seconds
• Ex: manipulating and recognizing objects by touch

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9
Q

Define working memory

A

A memory register of limited capacity for both the amount of information it can store and the time for which information is retained. ( AKA short term memory)

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10
Q

WM is vulnerable to…

A

Vulnerable to disruption: if the info in working memory ceases to be the focus of our attention, it will be forgotten
• Ex: meeting a friend while going to the store, chatting, and forgetting what you rehearsed earlier

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11
Q

According to the multicomponent WM model, what are the 4 essential components of WM?

A

• Visuospatial sketch pad (stores visual images)
• Phonological loop (stores verbal info - rehearses and transforms images in phonological code)
• Episodic buffer (integrates info from loop and sketch pad with a sense of time, so they are remembered as a sequence of events)
• Central executive
○ Focuses attention
○ Divides attention
○ Permit switching from task to task
○ Interface with long-term memory

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12
Q

Name 2 ways in which WM interacts with LTM

A
  • Subset of info in WM may be stored in LTM eventually

* Info in WM comes from focusing on info in LTM and incoming sensory info

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13
Q

Name a few of the functions of the prefrontal cortex

A 
Prefrontal cortex: responsible for executive functions (AKA cognitive control)
	• Control of attention
	• Planning
	• Goal Setting
	• Judgement
	• Self-Control
	• Working Memory
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14
Q

Name the areas of the prefrontal cortex. Which of these are mostly associated with WM?

A 
Areas of prefrontal cortex:
	• Orbitofrontal
	• Rostral
	• Dorsolateral**
	• Ventrolateral**
	• Dorsomedial
	• Ventromedial
**: most associated with WM
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15
Q

What is the delayed response task?

A

1- food randomly placed on one of 2 plates in front of monkey
2- monkey’s view is covered for some time
3- monkey reaches for the food

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16
Q

What is the oculomotor delayed response task?

A

Oculomotor delayed-response task: Another similar task where monkeys had to remember where a square was on a blank screen indicated that neurons in the dorsolateral area were active during the task, confirming that the prefrontal cortex is involved in WM

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17
Q

Define Long Term Memory

A

Refers to a memory register of potentially unlimited capacity for both the amount of information it can store and the time for which information is retained

18
Q

What are the 2 main types of LTM?

A

Declarative and nondeclarative memories

19
Q

What is declarative memory? Name and describe its 2 sub types

A

Declarative memories: require the conscious recollection of information (AKA explicit memories)
Semantic Memories: memories for learned facts (no need to re-experience the context in which it was learned)
Episodic memories: memories for life events (rich in contextual details) - their retrieval requires mental time travel (re-experiencing the event)

20
Q

Episodic memories require 2 important components, what are they?

A
  • Include the awareness of the passage of subjective time (chronesthesia)
  • Require autonoetic consciousness (ability to reflect on past event while being aware that those are your own memories)
21
Q

Describe non declarative memories

A

expressed only through the performance of a task/habit without the need for conscious recollection of information (AKA implicit memory)

22
Q

Name the 3 main ways in which nondeclarative memories can be acquierd

A

Acquired through:
Classical Conditioning
• Of emotional responses: pairing stimulus likely to trigger an emotional reaction with a neutral stimulus
• Of motor responses: pair stimulus likely to trigger a motor response with a neutral stimulus

Priming
• Type of nondeclarative memory in which exposure to a stimulus influences your response to a stimulus presented later
§ Ex: more likely to notice a piece of clothing on someone if you own the same piece

NonAssociative Learning
• Reflex pathway

23
Q

There is 1 sub type of nondeclarative memory, what is it?

A

Procedural memory (a sub-type of nondeclarative memory)
• Type of nondeclarative memory that leads to the performance of skills and habit without the need for the conscious recollection of information
§ Ex: unlocking a lock without knowing what the numbers are

24
Q

Name the 2 main brain regions involved in declarative memories

A
  • Medial temporal lobes
    • Including the hippocampus and related cortical areas; the perirhinal, entorhinal, and parahippocampal cortices and the amygdala
  • Medial Diencephalon
    • Includes the thalamus and the mammillary bodies of the hypothalamus
    • Hippocampus is connected via bundle of fibers named fornix
25
Q

Name the 2 main brain regions involved in nondeclarative memories

A

Depend on areas outside of the hippocampus and of the diecephalon

26
Q

Name and describe the 2 main types of brain injury

A
  • Traumatic brain injury: damage is done to a particular brain area (ex; gunshot wound) or can be more diffuse (concussion)
    • Anoxic/hypoxic brain injury: Total (anoxia) or partial (hypoxia) deprivation of blood to the brain (ex: cardiac arrest)
27
Q

What is amnesia?

A

Amnesia: memory deficits resulting from brain injury or psychological trauma

28
Q

Name and describe the 3 types of amnesia

A

Retrograde amnesia: there is memory loss for info acquired before the brain damage

Anterograde amnesia: inability to form new memories since brain damage has occurred

• Usually patients have a bit of both

Temporally graded amnesia: memories for info acquired shortly before the damage are lost, but memories from more remote times are kept

29
Q

Describe the case of HM (Henry Molaison)

A

Henry Molaison (HM): got his medial temporal lobes removed to stop seizures
• Suffered from severe anterograde amnesia and temporally graded retrograde amnesia extending to his childhood
• His nondeclarative memory was untouched - no need for conscious recollection
• Mirror tracing task: participants are required to trace a star with only looking at their hand in a mirror
• HM was able to complete this task after practice (comparable to normal subjects) - however he never remembered having practiced the task

30
Q

Describe the case of HA

A

HA case study: suffered brain injury to dorsomedial thalamus and the mammillary bodies on both sides
• Considerable anterograde amnesia and some retrograde amnesia (no impairments of nondeclarative memory)

31
Q

What is Korsakoff syndrome? How is it related to HM and HA cases studies?

A

Korsakoff syndrome: thiamine deficit (result from alcoholism) - has deteriorating effects on the dorsomedial thalamus and the mammillary bodies on both sides (like HA) and the patients suffer from those same types of amnesia

32
Q

Name 2 ways in which new memories can be formed

A

when new connections between neurons are formed OR when existing synapses are strengthened

33
Q

How is the strength of a synapse measured?

A

Measured by the level of excitability/responsiveness of the post-synaptic neuron when receiving a stimulus from the pre-synaptic neuron

34
Q

Name 2 processes that can strengthen synaptic connections

A
  • High-frequency signals (strong experience)

* Repeating signals (ex: studying)

35
Q

Where is long term potentiation best studied?

A

at the glutamate synapses of the hippocampus

36
Q

What happens when there is a weak signal in the glutamate neurons of the hippocampus?

A

little glutamate released, little Na+ is admitted in the neuron via AMPA

37
Q

What happens when there is a strong signal in the glutamate neurons of the hippocampus?

A

large amount of glutamate released, more Na+ admitted in AMPA and serves to expulse the magnesium that previously blocked the NMDA channel; More Na+ and Ca++ can enter the neuron

38
Q

What happens when calcium is released into the neuron?

A

Calcium is the mediator of LTP induction

39
Q

What happens in early LTP?

A

Calcium initiates pathways that activate protein kinases

40
Q

Name the 2 ways in which kinases enhance synaptic communication

A
  • Phosphorylate existing AMPA receptors (making them more conductant to sodium)
  • Make more AMPA receptors come to the membrane
41
Q

What happens in late LTP?

A

new proteins are made and gene expression is activated to further enhance the connection between the 2 neurons
• Ex: creating new AMPA receptors

42
Q

Which phase of LTP correlates with the formation of LTM?

A

Late LTP

PSYC 355 (22 decks)

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