III L1 Memory

What do humans remember?

Human faces, human interactions, surprising events, emotional events, interesting things, processed information, repeated information

Consolidation

The process by which a temporary, labile memory is transformed into a more stabole, long-lasting form.

“S” Individual

• He appeared to have limitless memory

• All info was stored as long-term memory

• This suggested that the human brain is capable of remembering everything

What are easier to remember?

Experiences are easy to remember. Videos also are easier to remember as they mimic real experiences.

Study techniques

• Start studying after lecture

• Eliminate distractions

• After review, try to replicate it either verbally or in written form

• Correct any misunderstandings

Norepinephrine

Memory is improved via norepinephrine, or improves via emotional response.

Adderall

Norepinephrine stimulants that soldiers often take that increases their chances of developing PTSD

How do you block bad memories from forming?

Blocking bad memories requires blocking norepinephrine beta receptors, where long term memories must be reconsolidated to erase them.

Savant

A person with a combination of limited mental abilities and extraordinary memories.

Retrograde amnesia

The inability to remember past memories.

Anterograde amnesia

The inability to form or create new memories.

Global amnesia

Also known as total amnesia, it involves both types of memory loss (cannot remember past memories and cannot create new ones). Also known as dementia.

H.M. Individual

He had his hippocampus removed and he had developed anterograde amnesia. His old memories were intact but was unable to form new memories. He had no short term memories.

What does loss of hippocampus result in?

The loss of short term memories, a memory deficit for new facts.

Hippocampus

The region of the brain needed for the consolidation for long term memory creation. Also required for the new memories of facts, not for other forms of memories.

Explain why London taxicab drivers have an enlarged hippocampus.

The longer they have been drivers, the larger the hippocampus. It increases in size when new drivers start training as they constantly use their knowledge. They have a low probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease.