discussion 6

Classmate post 1:

1. How memories formed at the following levels?

· Molecular: What is long-term potentiation (LTP)? Long term potentiation is strengthened synaptic connections through frequent activation. LTP is associated with changes in gene transcription in the neurons and is important for increased responsiveness of long lasting LTP. LTP also increases the strength of synapses  by making them more sensitive to glutamate and increased activation in the future.

· Cellular: How is the hippocampus important for memory? The hippocampus is important for memory due to its role in the overall in processing new declarative information and consolidation. Declarative memory looks like what a person knows and can tell others. This falls into two categories of semantic memory and episodic memory. This region of the brain is the important in controlling emotions, motivation and memory through the information that is processed. The hippocampus uses spatial maps and neurons to increase its ability to determine if information will be encoded, consolidated, and then retrieved for future use. Without the hippocampi in one’s brain, there is no longer a memory processing center, and no new information can enter the brain for processing and future storing. Without this region of the brain, memory does not exist. 

· System: How widely are memories distributed in the brain? Memories are stored somewhat widely, but different types of memories are stored in different places. Long term declarative memory is distributed throughout the medial temporal lobe, hippocampus, and amygdala. This includes semantic memory that deals with storage in the cortex, right frontal lobe, and temporal regions. Semantic memory is also stored in the cortex but especially in the temporal lobes. Long term nondeclarative memory is not dependent on the medial temporal lobes in the same way that declarative memory is. Skill learning and motor coordination memory, such as performing a task or remembering how to perform a task are distributed in the basal ganglia, motor cortex and cerebellum. Conditioning memory, like my body remembering that I am hungry at noon, is distributed to the cerebellum, hippocampus and cortex. 

2.  How would you distinguish amnesia from normal forgetting? When would you call an absent-minded person amnesic? I would be able to distinguish amnesia from normal forgetting by looking at the degree of damage or clutter of information that needs to be recalled. A person with amnesia has had damage to their hippocampus and would have no memory or at least partial lack of memory either from the point of injury forward or from an amount of time before the injury and forward. A forgetful person may be suffering from too many things to remember, or they were not paying attention to the information that was given to them. Disruption to the memory process will complicate the encoding and consolidation processes. I don’t honestly know if I would call an absent-minded person amnesic unless I had proof that they were suffering from an actual form of amnesia, had a brain injury or a legitimate issue with their hippocampus.

3. What’s better: A memory that records objectively and accurately, or a memory that can be updated to support newer levels of understanding?

Objective and accurate memory does not mean that the memory was interpreted with any meaning. I almost imagine that if I can only objectively and accurately record a memory that it would be devoid of the affect or subtle things that must be interpreted to truly understand it. I would much rather choose a memory that can be updated to support newer levels of understanding.

Dudukovic, N. & Kuhl, B. (2021). Forgetting and amnesia. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds), Noba textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF publishers. Retrieved from  http://noba.to/m38qbftg

Mendez, P. (2017, March 10). Remembering or Forgetting: The Lifetime of Memories. Sign in to your account. Retrieved September 26, 2021, from  https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/le/content/611880/fullscreen/22689440/View.  

NYU. (2013, January 4). Brain and behavior - learning and memory: Basic distinctions I. YouTube. Retrieved September 26, 2021, from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cChvNQIAzyU.  

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Classmate post 2:

1. How memories formed at the following levels?

· Molecular: What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?

Answer:

Long term potentiation (LTP) has to do with our Hippocampus. LTP is used for storing memory in the hippocampus and neocortex. Both these networks exhibit many properties required for large capacity information. LTP is basically a persistent process that strengthens the synapses and leads to long lasting signal transmission between neurons. Thus, creating long term memories. 

· Cellular: How is the hippocampus important for memory?

Answer:

The hippocampus is important for memory because it plays a critical role in the formation, organization and storage of new memories as well as connecting certain sensations and emotions to these memories. 

· System: How widely are memories distributed in the brain?

Answer:

Memory is stored widely across the brain. There are two types of memories, explicit and implicit. Explicit memories are ones you can consciously recall, like having coffee with a friend last week. Implicit memories are a tad more important. For example, using any motor skills like walking, talking etc. 

2.  How would you distinguish amnesia from normal forgetting? When would you call an absent-minded person amnesic?

The reason people are forgetful is because they did not fully attain the information. Therefor the information wasn’t encoded into their memory, and they won’t remember it later. Another reason could be because memories fade and decay overtime. Amnesia could be caused by damage or trauma to the hippocampus and temporal lobe. The severity of the trauma or damage is what determines the level of amnesia. All of this has effects on retaining memory, creating new memory or recalling old memory. 

3. What’s better: A memory that records objectively and accurately, or a memory that can be updated to support newer levels of understanding?

Personally, I don’t think ones better than the other. But having one without the other could be possible. They both work in different ways Episodic memories would be for understanding objectively and accurately and Semantic memories would be newer levels of understanding. An example of a Semantic memory would be knowledge of facts, concepts or ideas. An example of Episodic memories would be remembering your last vacation or your first date. 

 

 

University of Queensland (2018) Memory

https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain-basics/memory

 Cherry, K. (2020) What is the Hippocampus? 

Very well mind. 

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-hippocampus-2795231