Oct11 M3-Memory Flashcards
memory def
ability to recall, consciously or unconsciously, a previous stimulus or task
- involves synaptic changes controlled by conserved fundamental processes
- allows learning (knowledge and skills) and adaptations in behavior
known things about memory
- hippocampus important in memory
- memory is bilateral (unlike language and other cognitive fcts). unilateral lesions (like stroke) don’t cause memory loss
- AD (a form of dementia) and other forms of dementia impair memory for recent events but spare memory for remove events
diff kinds of memory (dnm the names)
- declarative = depends on conscious awareness. memory of what happened + memory of facts
- non-declarative memory = does not depend on conscious awareness. memory of how to do a task + memory of recognizing objects by their form and structure
- working memory = what’s in your head right now = ability to maintain and manipulate active representations of information
HM had a problem with what type of memory (after hippocampi removed)
memory of what happened + of facts (declarative)
where is DECLARATIVE memory stored
new info pathway
- transient storage of WORKING memory in the PREFRONTAL cortex
- this memory is transferred via dopaminergic connections of prefrontal cortex to the HIPPOCAMPUS and becomes SHORT-TERM memory
- hippocampus connects to CORTEX where info is consolidated into LONG-TERM memory (area of cortex = what’s relevant to the memory. visual = in visual cortex)
how does memory go from short term to long term
- short-term memory: the hippocampus has strong connections with the cortex
- recent long-term memory: cortical loops start to form, the hippocampus becomes less imp
- remote long-term memory: cortical loops are formed. hippocampus connections to cortex are not needed anymore
* explain why AD pts lose short term and recent long term but not remote long term memory*
short term memory def vs long term
immediate present. in the last 30-60 sec. long term is everything else
long-term recent memory def
days ago
remote long term memory
years ao
working memory vs short term memory
working memory involves remembering but ALSO manipulating something (multiplying 3 digits instead of just repeating them)
- bc to multiply 3 digits you need to visualize it in your head
- the working memory can store 5-7 infos at a time
what types of memory are important for attention
all types
memory and age
as you get older, it is harder to consolidate and remember stuff
consolidation meanings
- long-term memory (storing memory in the cortex)
- remembering something you saw or heard or etc. a couple minutes ago that was important or not (like a shirt colour) (unconsciously)
- conscious consolidation would be to link the info to learn to objects (ex of learning deck of cards by assoc each card to an object and the deck is a house with 3 objects in each room)
- is important for memory, related to long-term memory*
amygdala role in memory
- is in the medial part of the temporal lobe (in the uncus)
- was ant sup to hippocampus
- adds emotional value to memory so important in NON-DECLARATIVE
- acquire and express fear responses
- add pos or neg value to stimulus
- recognize EMOTION in the facial expression (but damaged amygdala = can still recognize someone’s face)
other structures than amygdala important in non-declarative memory (including emotional memory)
- other limbic structures like hippocampus
- basal ganglia (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus) = procedural skills and motor programs
- cerebellum (motor learning and coordination)
memory assessment at the bedside
focus on declarative memory and assess
- working memory
- short-term
- long-term
hx in pt with memory problem
- ask hx from a family member
- ask what the pt has difficulty remembering
- ask timing
- ask impact on patient
- in older people, it is normal to forget things intermittently*
attention vs working memory
- need attention to do use working memory
- working memory is more advances, stresses the system
how to test attention
- digit span (purely tests attention)
- backward digit span (requires working memory)
- seral minus 7 starting at 100 (requires working memory)
how to test short term memory
- ask them to repeat a list of WORDS immediately (this is called REGISTRATION) (WORKING memory)
- ask them to repeat it 30s later. this is called RECALL = ability to retrieve the words (SHORT TERM memory, except if the pt has been repeating the words in their head in the meantime = working memory still)
how to test recent long term memory
- ask them to repeat a list of WORDS immediately (this is called REGISTRATION) (WORKING memory)
- ask them to repeat it 5 min later (CONSOLIDATION = LONG TERM memory)
when to test non-verbal memory
in people who can’t repeat because of a non-fluent aphasia with comprehension, or dysphonia, or dysarhtria or early dementia
how to test non-verbal memory
-put coins in certain places in the room and show the pt
-ask them 5 min later to point where the coins are
(this would test recent long term memory)
how to test remote long term memory
-ask about remove events and knowledge (and make sure it’s appropriate to their age and culture)
-ask if remember what they did last Sunday (with family member telling you if it’s true)
-
transient global amnesia def
- unique condition where there is a sudden onset anemia for 2-12 hours causing memory impairment only and no other sx
- not related to ischemia (stroke) and epilepsy bc doesn’t recur (usually one time thing)
memory loss in TGA
- temporary retrograde memory loss (can’t remember anything from a certain point in time in the past until onset of TGA). this resolves, they’ll start to remember older and older things progressively as it resolves
- permanent anterograde memory loss during the event (can’t remember anything from time of onset until resolution). will never resolve
charact of pt with TGA
is agitated, repeats Qs. asks where they are, who they are. what they’re doing here, normal language
are imp features to be aware of on hx
what you find in TGA pt you examine during vs after the event
- during = no new memories forming, can’t recall 3 objects or 3 hidden objects
- after = normal exam except anterograde memory loss
ddx of TGA
- receptive aphasia
- delirium
- psychosis
TGA vs receptive aphasia
receptive aphasia: there’s impaired language (understanding part) and pt can’t follow commands normally + pt is more relaxed
TGA vs delirium
delirium impairs brain fct globally and attention specifically** and is more variable: fluctuating + remember some things and not others
TGA vs psychosis
in psychosis, there is impaired and inappropriate thought content (what they’re thinking about isn’t normal)
possible cause of TGA
abnormal blood flow to hippocampus during the event
Wernicke-Korsakoff (WS) syndrome is what
- acute WS syndrome = ataxia (gait prob), ophthalmoplegia (prob in eye mvmt) and confusion (impaired attention)
- chronic WS syndrome = anterograde and variable retrograde amnesia
WS causes
thiamine deficiency
- usually occurs in alcoholics
- sometimes in bariatric surgery
cause of WS syndrome
damage to the mamillary body
WS tx
prevention of thiamine deficiency with supplementation
Alzheimer’s dz (a form of dementia) sx
short term and recent long term memory problems (affects stages before permanent cortical loops form and hippocampus is still needed)
-impairs ability of hippocampus to consolidate new info and long-term memory
where Alzheimer’s dz typically starts
temporal and parietal lobes, including hippocampus
why long term memories not affected in Alzheimer’s dz at least not at late dz
because AD is initially concentrated (not everywhere) whereas long term memory is spread all over the cortex
