amygdala. Under emotionally arousing circumstances, the amygdala will encode memories at a deeper level. The hippocampus is most involved in memory processing. It aids normal recognition memory as well as spatial memory. It gives memory meaning and connects old memories to new memories. Finally, it turns short-term memory into long-term memory. New semantic knowledge cannot be assimilated if the hippocampus on both sides is damaged. The cerebellum is important in classical conditioning, motor learning, and procedural memory. The prefrontal cortex is also associated with processing and retaining information. There are specific neurotransmitters that are associated with the acquisition of memory. These include epinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and glutamate. No one knows exactly which memory function is associated with which neurotransmitter. Strong emotions will trigger strong memories, while weak emotions will trigger weaker memories, according to arousal theory. Stronger emotions activate greater numbers of hormones and neurotransmitters. These will strengthen the memory. Glutamate is an activating neurotransmitter that is triggered by stress and increases the chance of a strong memory.
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT There are several phenomena that are associated with some type of memory impairment. Amnesia is a long-term memory loss that is the result of some type of physical trauma, psychological trauma, and brain diseases. It can be seen after severe head injuries. With anterograde amnesia, new information cannot be remembered but things before the injury are remembered. This is a problem with the hippocampus. Procedural memories, however, can be formed in most cases. Retrograde amnesia is loss of memory for things that happened in their past, particularly episodic memories. This is the type of amnesia where you don t recognize your loved ones nor can you remember anything about your life. This type of amnesia can be extreme.
158
