Memory and cognition

Question 1

How to we understand things?

Answer 1

-Remember memorable events are learn from them

Question 2

what do we need in order to remember and learn things?

Answer 2

MOTIVATION

Question 3

What is neuronal plasticity

Answer 3

ability of the central neurones to adapt and form new pathways based on new information they are given.

Question 4

What do the association units of the brain do?

Answer 4

They put together information to make sense of it

Question 5

Which are the components of cognition and memory and their function?

Answer 5

• Hippocampus: formation of memories
• Cortex: storage of memories
• Thalamus: Filter through memories

Question 6

Different types of memory

Answer 6

• Immediate/sensory
• short-term
• Immediate long term
• Long term

Question 7

properties of immediate/sensory memory?

Answer 7

• Lasts a few seconds
• Visual memories are the first to disappear (<1s)
• Auditory are the longest (<4s)

Question 8

properties of short-term memory

Answer 8

• Can last from a few seconds to hours

- Usually what allows us to carry out small tasks e.g. phone number

Question 9

How short term memory work?

Answer 9

-Electrical phenomenon - based on reverberating circuits- continues to be refreshed
-Each stimulus in a reverberating circuit is excitatory
-Small stimulus at A will cause a long lasting effect at B as it continues to excite all the neurones in the pathway
-If deemed significant then the memory will become part of long term memory
I-f the reverberating circuit is interrupted then this will lead to amnesia

Question 10

what is amnesia

Answer 10

When the reverberating circuit is interrupted e.g. by bang to the head/ infection

Question 11

Two types of amnesia

Answer 11

• anterograde

- retrograde

Question 12

properties of anterograde amnesia

Answer 12

• Cannot form new memories
• Can be permanent or temporary
• If hippocampus destruction is involved then it will be impossible to form new memories

Question 13

properties of retrograde amnesia

Answer 13

• Cannot remember events leading up to the event
• Can remember events from a long time ago
• Usually associated with anterograde amnesia
• If hippocampus is spared and only thalamus is affected: most likely to be only retrograde- so thalamus involved in searching existing memories

Question 14

properties of immediate long term and how it works

Answer 14

From a few hours to days
Reminds us of events from the previous week

How it works:
Involves chemical changes in pre-synaptic neurones e.g
Increase of Ca2+ into cells- increases release of NT from pre-synaptic terminal

Question 15

How does Long term memory

Answer 15

Structural changes at neuron synaptic connections e.g:

• Increase in number of NT vescicles released at presynaptic terminal
• Increase of NT releasing sites on presynaptic terminal
• Increase in number of presynaptic terminals
• Long term potentiation

Question 16

what is long term potentiation

Answer 16

increase in the amplitude of graded membrane potential of post-synaptic terminal

Question 17

Two types of long term memory

Answer 17

Declarative/ explicit

Implicit/reflexive/ procedural

Question 18

Declarative memory

Answer 18

• Based on an episodic memory or words

- Depends on the hippocampus

Question 19

Reflexive/procedural/implicit memory

Answer 19

Acquired through repetition e.g. driving on the left
Depends on the cerebellum
Independent of the hippocampus
Similar to consolidation

Question 20

what is coding of memory

Answer 20

• When an event is significant it becomes stored in the sensory areas of the cortex
• An even is deemed to be more or less important by the frontal lobe in association with the limbic system
• An even is deemed to be significant in the PAPEZ circuit of the limbic system
• Different memories are stored in different parts of the cortex

Question 21

what is the papez circuit?

Answer 21

Cingulate gyrus
hippocampus
mammillary bodies
anterior thalamus

Question 22

Conditions associated with loss of memory

Answer 22

Korsakoff’s and ability to store memories: due to damage to the limbic system

• Alzheimers’: loss of cholinergic neurones involved in storing memories in the hippocampus
• REM sleep: needed for the formation of the memories of complex cognitive tasks. Patients with kosakoffs and Alzheimers have reduced REM sleep

Question 23

Which sense has a strong link with the limbic system

Answer 23

olfactory

Question 24

What makes up the limbic system?

Answer 24

hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, amygdala and hypothalamus

Question 25

what does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 25

link between memory and ANS response

Question 26

what does the limbic system do?

Answer 26

responsible for emotive response which is based on a reward/punishment system. This means that stimulation of certain areas of the brain will lead to a feeling of reward and others will lead to a feeling of fear/punishment. Motivation= desire for reward/ avoidance of punishment Memory given to experiences which give reward/ punishment (SIGNIFICANCE)

Question 27

What is consolidation

Answer 27

If short term memory in a reverberating system is deemed significant it will become part of long term memory