5B: Brain structures involved in memory

What is explicit memory?

a type of long-term memory that is consciously retrieved.

What is semantic memory?

Memories of facts or knowledge; also known as “encyclopaedic memory.”

What is procedural memory?

“How to” memories that occur after practice.

What is episodic memory?

Personalised memory of events; also called “autobiographical memory” (e.g. your first kiss at school).

What is implicit memory?

Unconscious memory including procedural memory, motor learning, and classical conditioning.

Which brain structure is most involved in implicit memory?

Amygdala.

Which brain structures are involved in the emotional aspects of implicit memory?

Amygdala and hippocampus.

Which brain structure is responsible for explicit memory?

Hippocampus.

What are the two main types of declarative memory?

Semantic memory (facts/world knowledge) and episodic memory (events/autobiographical).

What is retrospective memory?

Remembering past events.

What is prospective memory?

Remembering to do things in the future.

What does procedural memory involve?

Memory for actions, skills, operations, and conditioned responses; resistant to forgetting.

How is procedural memory linked with implicit memory?

Procedural memory is largely unconscious and part of the implicit system.

What is emotional memory?

A type of implicit memory involving emotional responses to stimuli or events.

What is an example of emotional memory?

Being afraid of dogs due to a past attack.

What role does the amygdala play in memory?

It encodes emotional components and is essential in fear conditioning and emotional memory formation.

What is the role of the basal ganglia?

Long-term procedural memory, movement, and routine behaviours.

What does the cerebellum do in memory processing?

Encodes, processes, and stores procedural memories, including motor skills, coordination, balance and classically conditioned responses.

What is the neocortex?

Top layer of the cerebral cortex storing explicit memories encoded by the hippocampus.

What does the amygdala store?

Memories of events with associated emotions; encodes implicit emotional memories.

What does the cerebellum store?

Temporary storage of implicit procedural memories for motor skills created by classical conditioning.

What is the hippocampus’s role in memory processing?

Encodes, consolidates, and retrieves explicit memories; links emotion to memory; transfers new memories for long-term storage.

When does the hippocampus transfer memories for long-term storage?

During times of low activity, such as sleep.

What is the amygdala’s role in emotional memory?

Encodes and consolidates emotional memories; strengthens emotionally arousing memories.

How does the amygdala enhance emotional memories?

Signals the hippocampus that the event is meaningful, enhancing encoding and consolidation.

Why do we remember frightening things more easily?

Adrenaline triggers the amygdala to release noradrenaline, which enhances encoding and long-term storage.

What is the role of the neocortex in memory?

Involved in higher-order functions like language and memory; stores memories in sensory-specific areas.

When is the basal ganglia active?

During new movement prompted by a cue or when refining learned behaviour.

What is the habit loop?

Repeated behaviours become more efficient and automatic, freeing the brain for complex decisions.

What role do the basal ganglia play in fine motor control?

They receive input from the cortex, refine movement plans, and send messages to facilitate correct and inhibit competing movements.