18.13: Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Learning and Memory
Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or playing an instrument.
Memory can be further divided into short-term and long-term memory. Short-term memory temporarily stores information, while long-term memory stores the information for longer. The hypothalamus consolidates short-term memories in our brain, which means that the nervous system will transfer information from the hypothalamus to the cerebral cortex for permanent storage. This means that consolidated short-term memories get converted into long-term memories.
Amnesia, characterized by forgetfulness, refers to the absence or impairment of memory. It can manifest as a complete or partial inability to recall past experiences. Anterograde amnesia involves explicitly the loss of memory for events that transpire after the underlying trauma or disease, failing to form new memories. On the other hand, retrograde amnesia pertains to the loss of memory for events before the trauma or disease, leading to an inability to recollect past events.
