PSYC 301 Memory Disorders

Explicit/declarative memory

Long term memory of factual knowledge (semantic) and personal experience (episodic)

Implicit/non-declarative memory

Acquired and used unconsciously; includes procedural memory and is impacted by priming and conditioning

Semantic memory

Non-contextual knowledge (i.e. things you "just know")

Episodic memory

Contextual memories from a first-person perspective; can be retrospective or propspective

Priming

Automatic responses to subtle cues without reinforcement or awareness

Conditioning

Repeated pairing of stimuli with rewards or punishments and involves conscious learning over time

Prefrontal cortex's role in memory

Working memory

Striatum's role in memory

Procedural memory

Amygdala's role in memory

"Emotional" memory, emotional responses in classical conditioning

Cortex's role in memory

Short and long term explicit memory

Medial temporal lobe role in memory

Long-term explicit memory and spatial memory

Unimodal and polymodal association areas function in memory

Processes sensory information

Perirhinal cortex function in memory

Processes familiarity

Parahippocampal cortex function in memory

Processes environmental and contextual information

Entorhinal cortex function in memory

Acts as a relay station or gateway for information; when damaged, has very similar effects to a dysfunctioning hippocampus

Hippocampus role in memory

Consolidates memories and brings information together

Main structure(s) involved in procedural memory

Basal ganglia and motor-related areas

Main structure(s) involved in priming

Primary and association motor and somatosensory cortices

Main structure(s) involved in perceptual memory

Posterior sensory cortex

Main structure(s) involved in semantic memory

Cerebral cortex, Limbic structures, left frontotemporal cortex

Main structure(s) used in episodic-autobiographical memory

Limbic system, prefrontal cortex, frontotemporal cortex

Lesion to Limbic system affects on memory

Impairs encoding and consolidation of explicit memory

Lesion to medial temporal brain region affects on memory

Impairs encoding and consolidation of episodic memory

Lesion to frontal-Subcortical system affects on memory

Impairs retrieval and working memory

retrograde amnesia

Inability to retrieve information that was consolidated prior to injury; often results from temporal lesions

Confabulation

Unintentional episodic misremembering; require medial temporal and frontal lobe lesions