Neuroscience Attention and memory

Attention

Basic component of cognition that influences the ability to direct focus and is related to arousal and alertness.

Sustained Attention

The ability to maintain focus over time, characterized by concentration and vigilance.

Selective Attention

The process of focusing on a specific object in the presence of other distracting stimuli.

Alerting Network

Neural network involving the thalamus and frontal/parietal regions that facilitates alertness, using norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter.

Orienting Network

Neural network that helps direct attention to specific stimuli using the superior parietal lobe and acetylcholine.

Executive Control Network

Neural structures including the anterior cingulate cortex and lateral prefrontal cortex involved in planning and decision-making, using dopamine.

Memory Encoding

The process of transferring information from short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM) by associating new information with existing knowledge.

Hippocampus

A brain structure crucial for forming and retrieving memories, particularly in linking different types of sensory information.

Consolidation of Memories

The process through which memories are stabilized and stored in the brain, often occurring during sleep.

Mnemonic Devices

Techniques that use patterns or associations to aid in memory retention, such as the method of loci or acronyms.

Explicit Memory

Conscious, intentional recall of information, such as facts and events.

Implicit Memory

Unconscious, unintentional recall of previously learned information, such as riding a bike.

Anterograde Amnesia

The inability to form new memories following an injury or trauma, impacting ongoing events.

Retrograde Amnesia

The loss of previous memories or personal history often due to injury or trauma.

Emotional Syndromes

Changes in emotional regulation caused by damage to specific brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in emotion processing, particularly fear and pleasure, and important in recognizing social-emotional cues.

PTSD

A mental health condition triggered by traumatic events, characterized by recurrent memories and heightened emotional responses.

Anger

Septal Area

Frontal Cortex

Attention

Parietal Cortex

Alerting

 Transient global amnesia

Loss of one’s past and ongoing day-to-day, Onset rapid and usually clears

Primary Structures of emotion

prefrontal cortex, limbic system, anterior cingulate

Secondary structure of emotion

Thalamus, anterior insula, Septum pellucidum

Right hemisphere role in emotion

 Prefrontal area coincides with emotions of agitation, nervousness, distress, anxiety, sadness, depression

Left hemisphere role in emotion

Prefrontal cortex coincides with positive emotions and sense of well-being

 Left prefrontal lobe damage

•  Right hemisphere takes control

•  Leads to emotional lability, depression, despondence

 Right prefrontal lobe damage

• Indifference to impairment

• Euphoria

• Excess well-being

 Orbito frontal lobe lesions

Impulsiveness and disinhibition due to lack of regulation of executive function

 Dorsolateral lobe lesions

 Decreased drive and motivation, lethargy, disengagement

Anxiety, Panic Attacks, OCD

 Anterior Cingulate → Amygdala → Temporal Cortex

 Depression

• Decreased activity in prefrontal cortex and ACG

• Increased activity in amygdala and hippocampus

•  Imbalance of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine