Memory and the Brain Essay - 1001 Words

How does memory work? Is it possible to improve your memory? In order to answer these questions, one must look at the different types of memory and how memory is stored in a persons brain.Memory is the mental process of retaining and recalling information or experiences. (1) It is the process of taking events, or facts and storing them in the brain for later use. There are three types of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memories are momentary recordings of information in our sensory systems. They are memories evoked through a persons five senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. Although sensory memory is very brief, different sensory memories last for different amounts of time. Iconic†¦show more content†¦Some scientists believe that parts of long term memory are permanent while others will eventually weaken over time. (3) Long term memory can be divided into three sections: procedural memory, declarative memory, and remote memory. Procedural memory includes motor skills such as learning how to ride a bike or how to drive a car. Such memories are slow to acquire but more resistant to change or loss. (4) Declarative memory is used to remember facts, such as names, dates and places. It is easy to learn but also easy to lose. Finally there is episodic memory, which is the record of events that a person stores throughout his or her experience. Recent studies show that these event s, as soon as they occur, are sent to a temporary part of the brain called the hippocampus, and that over time they are moved to the neocortex for permanent storage. (5). When speaking about memory, one needs to look at the parts of the brain that are involved in memory storage. The hippocampus is a place in the brain that is used to transfer memories from short-term to long term memory. (1) It also helps store spatial memories with the thalamus. The thalamus is a collection of nuclei that relays sensory information from the lower centers to the cerebral cortex. (7) In addition to spatial memories, the thalamus helps store emotional memories with theShow MoreRelatedThe Memory Of The Brain2796 Words   |  12 Pagesthe brain, which is involved in the formation, organization, and storage of memory. It is a structure in the limbic system, which is significant in the formation of new memories and the connection of senses and emotions to memories. Such senses include smell and sound. The structure assumes the shape of a horseshoe paired structure. As such, one hippocampus is located on either side of the brain; the right and the left hemisphere. Structurally, the hippocampus performs the function of memory indexerRead MoreThe Brain for Memory2230 Words   |  9 PagesThe brain for memory The brain is the most important organ, and any animal, even mosquitoes have them. 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Brain oscillations are fluctuations in local field potentials, caused by the input of neurons in to a specific cell assembly (Ha nslmayr, Staudigl, Fellner, 2012). In response to a stimulus, alpha (~10 Hz) and beta (~15-30 Hz) oscillation power decrease in activity, while theta (~4-7 Hz) and gamma (~40-100 Hz) oscillations increase (Hanslmayr Staudigl, 2014). The changes