Memory and Cognition Flashcards
What is cognition?
Highest order of brain function. Integration of all sensory information to make sense of a situation.
What are the 3 key components in learning and memory?
Hippocampus - formation of memories
Cortex - Storage of memories
Thalamus - searches and accesses memories
* all 3 required for normal memory to take place.
What makes up the limbic system? And what does it do?
Cingulate gyrus - plays a role in emotion
Hippocampus - involved in learning and memory
Amygdale - involved in emotion and memory.
Hypothalamus - link between emotion and ANS responses.
Limbic system gives events emotional significance.
What assess the significance of an event?
The frontal cortex and its association with the reward/punishment centres in the limbic system assess the significance of an event
What is the role of the Hippocampus?
Central to learning and the formation of memories.
What can memories be divided into?
Immediate or sensory memory = a few seconds.
Short term = seconds-hours
Intermediate long-term = hours - weeks.
Long-term memory = Can be lifelong.
How does short term memory work?
Electrical phenomenon. Depends on maintained excitation from reverberating circuits - constantly need to be refreshed.
What are the two types of amnesia?
Anterograde = cannot form new memories Retrograde = cannot access (more recent) old memories
What is involved in intermediate long-term memory?
Involves chemical changes in presynaptic neurons.
Increasing Ca entry to presynaptic terminals increases neurotransmitter release.
What is involved in long-term memory?
Involves structural changes at synapses:
- Increase in NT release sites on presynaptic membrane
- Increase in number of NT vesicles stored and released
- Increase in number of presynaptic terminals
What are the 2 main types of long term memory?
Declarative or Explicit:
Abstract memory for events and for words, rules and language - relies heavily on hippocampus.
Procedural / Reflexive / implicit:
Acquired slowly through repetition. Motor memory for acquired motor skills. Mainly based in cerebellum - independent of hippocampus
How can short term memory be converted to long term?
Consolidation - selective straightening of synaptic connections through repetition. (requires attention)
What is the papez circuit?
Cingulate gyrus - hippocampus - mammillary bodies - anterior thalamus - cingulate gyrus (loop)
Keeps going until consolidation is complete.
