PSY2061 Study Guide - Final Guide: Retrograde Amnesia, Inferior Temporal Gyrus, Spatial Memory
11 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Nathaniel Parsons
PSY2061 Learning Objectives Week 8 S1 2018
Memory and Amnesia
Compare and contrast the different types of amnesia
Amnesia is defined as the loss of memory. Anterograde amnesia is the loss of an ability to
consolidate new memories to long-term memory (LTM). Retrograde amnesia is the inability
to recall certain memories from LTM before the onset of amnesia
Describe the different causes of amnesia
Brain injury to specific functions responsible for the consolidation of memories. Alcohol and
other drugs, emotional trauma, shock, brain surgery, AD and seizures can all contribute to
symptoms of amnesia.
Name key brain areas involved in memory and their function
The hippocampus is responsible for spatial memory. Damage to the hippocampus disrupts
spatial task performance in rats.
The inferotemporal cortex is responsible for the visual perception of objects and is able to
store memories for visual patterns.
The amygdala is responsible for the association of emotional experiences and memory.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for working memory (short-term memory) and memory
processing.
Storage of memories occurs in the cerebellum, more specifically storage of sensorimotor
memories occurs in the striatum.
Describe where and how memories are stored
Memories are stored in LTM through the process of LTP. They are stored diffusely and
therefore, can survive the destruction of any single structure.
Understand LTP and its role in memory formation
Long term potentiation is the strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.
The main neurotransmitter involved is glutamate which binds to NMDA receptors on the
postsynaptic neuron. If the neuron is already partially depolarised by the calcium ions
entering the neuron, then LTP can be induced. LTP is able to strengthen the connections
between neurons “wire together, fire together” and allows memories to be stored and
recalled in LTM.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Compare and contrast the different types of amnesia. Amnesia is defined as the loss of memory. Anterograde amnesia is the loss of an ability to consolidate new memories to long-term memory (ltm). Retrograde amnesia is the inability to recall certain memories from ltm before the onset of amnesia. Brain injury to specific functions responsible for the consolidation of memories. Alcohol and other drugs, emotional trauma, shock, brain surgery, ad and seizures can all contribute to symptoms of amnesia. Name key brain areas involved in memory and their function. Damage to the hippocampus disrupts spatial task performance in rats. The inferotemporal cortex is responsible for the visual perception of objects and is able to store memories for visual patterns. The amygdala is responsible for the association of emotional experiences and memory. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for working memory (short-term memory) and memory processing. Storage of memories occurs in the cerebellum, more specifically storage of sensorimotor memories occurs in the striatum.
