Memory and Cognition Flashcards
What is cognition?
Describes the integration of all sensory information to make sense of a situation
What is neuronal plasticity?
Ability of central neurons to adapt their neuronal connections in response to learning experiences
Where are memories formed?
Limbic system
What are the four distinct areas of the limbic system?
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
Cingulate gyrus
Amygdala
What are the ‘affective components’ of sensory experiences?
Reward and punishment
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Central to learning and formation of memories
What happens to the memory of people with bilateral hippocampal damage?
Immediate memory and intact long term memory but can not form new long term memories
How can memory be divided?
Immediate or sensory
Short term memory
Immediate long term memory
Long term memory
What is immediate or sensory memory?
Lasts a few seconds
describe the ability to hold experiences in the mind for a few seconds
Based on different sensory modalities
Visual memories decay fastest, auditory ones slowest
What is short term memory?
Used for short term task such as dialling a phone number, reading a sentence
Associated with reverberating circuits - electrical phenomenon
How does short term memory work?
Depends on painted excitation from reverberating circuits
Each synapse in a reverberating circuit is excitatory and hence a brief excitatory stimulus at A will cause a long lasting neuronal activity in B as the reverberating circuit neurons continue to excite all neurons in pathway
What is immediate long term memory?
What you did last weekend
Associated with chemical adaptations at the presynaptic terminal
What is long term memory?
Associated with structural changes in synaptic connections
Greater change in graded membrane potential in the post-synaptic cell is often observed
What is anterograde amnesia?
Inability to recall events following the injury
Depending on severity of injury this can be short lived or permanent
Destruction of hippocampus realists in permanent inability to form new memories
What is retrograde amnesia?
Can’t remember events leading up to the injury, although can recall events that happened a long time ago
Often presents with anterograde amnesia
Is only thalamus is damaged only retrograde amnesia seen
