lesson 6 brain structures involved in memory function 2013

Lesson 6 - Brain structures involved in Memory Function

Saturday, 30 March 13

From last lesson......

Long-term potentiation is best described as

A. the long-lasting strengthening of synaptic connections resulting in enhanced functioning of neurons.B. habituation in Aplysia. C. the formation of a long-term memory. D. the potential to form a long-term memory.


Long-term potentiation is best described as

A. the long-lasting strengthening of synaptic connections resulting in enhanced functioning of neurons.B. habituation in Aplysia. C. the formation of a long-term memory D. the potential to form a long-term memory.


Todays Lesson.......

Outcomes (What you need to know and be able to do)• Explain the role of the temporal lobe including the

hippocampus and the amygdala • Explain the consolidation theory• Explain the conditions required for consolidation to be

effective


The Hippocampus


The Case of H.M


The case of H.M provides evidence that:

•the hippocampus and medial temporal lobe are involved in the formation of new long-term memories, but they are not storage sites for established long-term memories

•the hippocampal area of the temporal lobe has an important role in formation or encoding of new declarative explicit memories (semantic and episodic) but not in the formation or retrieval of implicit procedural memories

•that LTM involves distinctive, or relatively ‘independent’, storage and retrieval processes. Damage to this area does not seem to seriously affect retrieval of procedural memories, but formation and retrieval of declarative memories are affected.


The Amygdala


The amygdala also has an important role because the emotions it regulates enhance the memorability of an event which is stated as declarative memory.

The amygdala regulates emotions such as fear and aggression and plays a more general role in the formation of emotional memory.

The Amygdala

Though to be essential in fear conditioning


Consolidation Theory

Consolidation theory proposes that:

Physical changes occur in the neurons following learning to consolidate the new information in LTM. Consolidation is when memories become solid (firm and fixed)

A period of time following transfer of information from STM to LTM is required for changes in the brain neurons to occur, e.g. formation and strengthening of neural connections.

Disruption of the consolidation process (e.g. due to head injury) can affect recall of information learned or experienced up to 30min prior to the disruption. Indicating consolidation takes about 30min


Think of an analogy for the ‘Consolidation Theory’


lesson 6 brain structures involved in memory function 2013

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