Memory and Dementia

Question 1

what is a physically fit brain

Answer 1

The physically fit brain is
*Hydrated. Well-rested, and Housed in a body that is active and
does not over consume food or alcohol.

Question 2

what is the emotionally fit brain

Answer 2

The emotionally fit brain is
* Attentive, Engaged, and Protected from undue stress

Question 3

what is the cognitively fit brain

Answer 3

The cognitively fit brain is
*equipped with conceptual tools that enhance learning

Question 4

what is the difference b/w learning and memory

Answer 4

Learning is a process by which new information is acquired by the
nervous System and is observable through changes in behaviour ie “the acquisition of skill or knowledge,”
whereas
memory is the process of encoding, storage and retrieval of learned information ie “the expression of what you’ve acquired”

Question 5

what is synaptic plasticity

Answer 5

the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time with basic wiring, re-wiring and constant changes

Question 6

Unlike STM and memories based upon trauma, LTM is the product
of both:

Answer 6

• a conscious decision to remember and
  *methods/strategies that hone it via elaboration and repetition

Question 7

neurobiology and long term memory (LTM)

Answer 7

*LTM is made possible by changes in pathways between cells/within neurons.
*LTM “changes the properties of membrane channels.”
*LTM results from new protein production.

Question 8

the more senses leveraged in learning…

Answer 8

the more pathways are available for retrieval

Question 9

what type of input is the most likely to be recognised and recalled

Answer 9

visual input

Question 10

If the brain is contemplating new concepts, it will grow…

Answer 10

If the brain is contemplating new concepts, it will grow new pathways. If that material is not used or practiced, however, the brain will reallocate the resources

Question 11

to learn, what must we do

Answer 11

we must retrieve and apply the new material in both the immediate and new contexts.

Question 12

what type of arousal organises and coordinates brain activity

Answer 12

emotional arousal

Question 13

what is deep attention

Answer 13

a sustained, focused attention that allows for contemplation and reflection

Question 14

initially and over time what does the stress feel like?

Answer 14

• Initially, this boost in stress hormone is motivating and pleasurable.
  *Over time, however, it causes impaired cognition, depression, and damage to neural circuits in the hippocampus

Question 15

Attention and Learning: what do we do in alerting phase

Answer 15

we remain sensitive to incoming stimuli from all sources.

Question 16

Attention and Learning: what do we do in orienting phase

Answer 16

we select from various stimuli streams and
decide on what to retain.

Question 17

Attention and Learning: what do we do in executive phase

Answer 17

we resolve conflicts and use the learning
to address problems

Question 18

what is explicit (declarative) memory

Answer 18

*EXPLICIT (Declarative):
*which are about events that happened to you (episodic), as well as general facts and information (semantic)

Question 19

what are 3 important areas of the brain that are related to storage and retrieval of material available to consciousness and can be explained in language

Answer 19

hippocampus
neocortex
amygdala

Question 20

what is implicit (nondeclarative, procedural) memory?

Answer 20

Implicit (nondeclarative, procedural) memories, such as motor memories, rely on the basal ganglia and cerebellum.

Generally NOT available to consciousness and involve skills and associations (e.g I may not generally remember my door code but when I’m at the door, my hands know what to do so I put the code in)

Question 21

what does short term memory heavily rely on

Answer 21

prefrontal cortex

Question 22

Temporal memory - when it lasts for fractions of a second, it’s called?

Answer 22

Immediate

Question 23

Temporal memory - when it lasts for Seconds to minutes, it’s called?

Answer 23

working

Question 24

Temporal memory - when it lasts for Days to years, it’s called?

Answer 24

long term

Question 25

where are episodic memories formed and stored for later access

Answer 25

The hippocampus which is located in the brain's temporal lobe

Question 26

what are episodic memories

Answer 26

Episodic memories are autobiographical memories from specific events in our lives

Question 27

hippocampus is important in laying down memories, however it is not..

Answer 27

it is not the site of permanent memory storage and isn’t needed for motor memories.

Question 28

what is the neocortex

Answer 28

neocortex is the largest part of cerebral cortex it's distinctive in higher mammals for its wrinkly appearance

Question 29

what is the sheet of neural tissue that forms the outside surface of the brain

Answer 29

cerebral cortex

Question 30

in humans, neocortex is involved in?

Answer 30

higher functions, such as sensory perception, generation of motor commands, spatial reasoning and language

Question 31

Over time, information from certain memories that are temporarily stored in the hippocampus can be transferred to?

Answer 31

transferred to the neocortex as general knowledge

Question 32

what is amygdala

Answer 32

*The amygdala, an almond-shaped structure in the brain’s temporal lobe, attaches emotional significance to memories.

Question 33

why is it important that the amygdala attaches emotional significance to memories

Answer 33

because strong emotional memories (e.g. those associated with shame, joy, love or grief) are difficult to forget. The permanence of these memories suggests that interactions between the amygdala, hippocampus and neocortex are crucial in determining the ‘stability’ of a memory – that is, how effectively it is retained over time.

Question 34

what does the amygdala play a role in

Answer 34

Plays a role in forming new memories especially those related to fear and PTSD

Question 35

what are the basal ganglia

Answer 35

The basal ganglia are structures lying deep within the brain and are involved in a wide range of processes such as emotion, reward processing, habit formation, movement and learning. They are particularly involved in co-ordinating sequences of motor activity, (as would be needed when playing a musical instrument, dancing or playing rugby)

Question 36

what is the cerebellum

Answer 36

The cerebellum, a separate structure located at the rear (back) base of the brain, is most important in fine motor control (the type that allows us to use chopsticks or press that piano key a fraction more softly.)

Question 37

give an example of cerebellar motor learning

Answer 37

vestibuloocular reflex - which lets us maintain our gaze on a location as we rotate our heads

Question 38

what is the prefrontal cortex (PFC)

Answer 38

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the part of the neocortex that sits at the very front of the brain, and it's involved in many complex cognitive functions

Question 39

There seems to be a functional separation between left and right sides of the PFC:

Answer 39

left is more involved in verbal working memory while the right is more active in spatial working memory (e.g remembering where the flash of light occurred)

Question 40

what's priming

Answer 40

A change in processing stimuli due to previous experience

Question 41

dementia is a term used to describe...

Answer 41

*Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities. [In people who have dementia, the symptoms interfere with their daily lives. Dementia isn't one specific disease. Several diseases can cause dementia.]

Question 42

key features of dementia

Answer 42

*memory loss. *difficulty concentrating. * finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks (e.g such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping.) * struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word. *being confused about time and place. *mood changes

Question 43

a pathway to diagnosis of dementia

Answer 43

*Ensure that you have access to main caregiver for essential collateral history. *Allow for time alone in safe setting ideally at their home. *Open with familiar areas of Long term memory e.g. “What did your parents do”, work gently through earliest memories building rapport, working toward names of grandchildren etc. *Allows for identification of nominal dysphasia, using extra/unnecessary words, "honest lying", verbal fluency, short term memory. *Be inquisitive - look in fridge, finance, mood.