Short term memory vs. Long term?

[NRAI2001]

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Took neuro last term so we definitely learned about the limbic system, papez circuit, hippocampus, patient HM...etc; but studying behavioral science now and a lot of the same concepts reappear, but from a big picture prespective. Either last term I got so caught up in the details of memorizing the circuits and pathways that I lost the big picture or its gotten hazy..

What exactly is short term memory? What circuit, hemisphere, area is it located? By what mechanism does it work?

 

[NRAI2001]

I know that memories..etc are made longterm by "longterm potentiation"; so assuming the LTP occurs (AMPA and NMDA receptors in hippocamp), is whatever occured before the LTP considered short term memory, meaning that short term memory is concentrated in the hippocampus?

 

[evoviiigsr]

Long term memories are stored in the cerebral cortex and short term memories (weeks to months) are stored in the hippocampal cortex..

I believe that LTP converts hippocampal memories into cortex memories..so studying anatomy notes for class would be a short term memory that would stored in the hippocampus and by reviewing them again for Step 1 they could possibly becoming long term memories stored in the cortex.

As for the pathway of short term memory, I doubt it is understood well. I don't even remember it being mentioned. Maybe the thalamus relays the info to the hippocampus, then the hippocampus ignores it until the same info is sent to it repetitively until it realizes that it is important information.

 

[NRAI2001]

Looking at my behavioral science notes it says that the Dorso-Lateral Prefrontal Cortex is involved in:

Evaluating future outcomes
abstract thinking
planning
working memory
extinction
temporary learning

Where is short term memory, as in random facts your learned 2 hrs ago, stored? Is it the same as working memory (I m assuming not).

 

[NRAI2001]

Long term memories are stored in the cerebral cortex and short term memories (weeks to months) are stored in the hippocampal cortex..

I believe that LTP converts hippocampal memories into cortex memories..so studying anatomy notes for class would be a short term memory that would stored in the hippocampus and by reviewing them again for Step 1 they could possibly becoming long term memories stored in the cortex.

As for the pathway of short term memory, I doubt it is understood well. I don't even remember it being mentioned. Maybe the thalamus relays the info to the hippocampus, then the hippocampus ignores it until the same info is sent to it repetitively until it realizes that it is important information.

Ya, I feel like my school didnt really elaborate on short term memory too much, either that or it got lost in translation with the shear bulk of our neuro class...

The Papez circuit is the connection between the hippocampus and the Cerebral Cortices where the longer term memories are stored.. I think the hippocampus is considered short term and the transfer of short term to long term occures via the Papex Circuit, to the cortices. Visual memories are stored in occipital as are the rest of the memories based on their modality.

 

[evoviiigsr]

Working memory is only for minutes and is stored in the prefrontal cortex.

Short term memory is a somewhat broad category and can mean days to a few months and is stored in the hippocampus

Long term memory is stored in various parts of the cortex pretty much stays with you forever, although there can be moments where you can not recall something..usually this is temporary and the memory will soon be recalled...

Emotional memory is stored in the amygdala..pretty much impossible for the amygdala to forget anything


Speculation: As similar information presents itself to your awareness, I think the thalamus turns its filter sensitivity down (by decreasing the activity of its reticulate nucleus or whatever)..this is how you move from working to short term to long term...it's all a bit hazy for me too..got drowned in cranial nerve stuff and forgot this earlier stuff