Neuroanatomy of Memory

Neuroanatomy of Memory

When thinking of memory, there is more than one type that is currently recognized to exist. One kind of memory is called Declarative Memory, which is also known as explicit memory. This memory lets a person recall facts and events of times that they have experienced. One part of the brain that has been linked to this type of memory is the Medial Temporal Lobe. The structures that are within this lobe that are linked to this type of memory are the hippocampus, and other areas that are adjacent areas that are anatomically related to the hippocampus, (Zola-Morgan & Squire, 1993). The way that this was found was based on a test with a monkey that had a large portion of the medial temporal lobe removed to see the damage that was done in a patient with amnesia. This was shown that a lesion on the hippocampus and surrounding areas caused different severe impairments to memory. With the impairment that is caused by this lesion, it shows that this area of the brain is very critical when relating to memory.

Another area that was discovered to be a critical area with memory is the diencephalon. Damage to this area was first discovered to have a link with memory around a hundred years ago, (Zola-Morgan & Squire, 1993). Even though that this area has been linked to severe impairment with memory, the actual structures inside of the brain still have not been properly identified. There are several theories to which parts may have a direct link to the damage to memory. One is that the mammillary nuclei could have been damaged, and that is the cause of the memory impairment. Another is that damage to the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus could also be a direct cause. It could also be that damage to one of these structures alone may not cause memory impairment, but damage to both is what could cause the problems with memory.

One part of the brain called the basal forebrain could also be a culprit with damage to memory. It is shown that people that experience something called ruptured aneurysms of the anterior also have a problem with persistent memory problems, (Zola-Morgan & Squire, 1993). When this happens there is usually damage to the basal forebrain. When the damage occurs, the person has a hard time remembering and the exhibit a personality change.

There are many different parts of the brain that are known to support a person's memory, and there are many believed to have the same function. While not everything is known about the brain, what is known is helping out the patients that are afflicted by problem with memory. Once more is known about the brain and we can figure out what does what and know this for a certainty, all we can to is study the brain some more and further our education in this particular area.

References

Zola-Morgan, S., & Squire, L. (1993). Neuroanatomy of Memory. Annual

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