Memory & Amnesia

Course overview

Studying memory and the way in which memories are formed is important to understanding the different ways amnesia can affect both information storage and retrieval. Just as memory storage has different stages and levels, so too does amnesia affect different aspects of memory. Since reliable memory is such a vital ability to maintain, it is important to understand the ways in which memory can be damaged. This Health Update follows both past and current research on the matter of memory and amnesia. Memory formation has different stages, starting with encoding and consolidation. Different types of memory also last different lengths of time. Sensory store memory lasts a fraction of a second, while short term memory can last 20-30 seconds. Long-term memory stores information for a much greater period of time. Different aspects of memory formation and retrieval are discussed in this home study course. Memory can also be either explicit or implicit in nature. Declarative memory, that involves facts, is often explicit; while procedural memory, involving skills, is often implicit. Problems in memory can arise in different ways, including from either retroactive or proactive interference. Amnesia is often a much more severe form of memory loss; it can occur due to a variety of reasons. The two main classes of amnesia are psychogenic, occurring due to emotional trauma, and organic amnesia, resulting from injury or disease; and amnesia may be transient or permanent. There are different types of amnesia, retrograde or anterograde, and posttraumatic amnesia in the case of severe brain injury. This home study course discusses the well known case of anterograde amnesia suffered by a patient who underwent brain surgery to remove the hippocampus and parts of the temporal lobe. As the population ages, amnesia is becoming more prevalent in the cases of Age Associated Memory Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease. There are many other causes of memory impairment outlined in this Health Update, including hypoxia, brain tumors, drug abuse, diabetes, and stress. The last items addressed involve ways to improve memory and treat more severe memory loss. Brain function and good memory may be maintained by good nutrition, exercise, sleep, as well as reducing alcohol use, smoking, and caffeine consumption. Different mental techniques may be used to improve memory retrieval, including association in memory formation. Herbal supplements of ginkgo biloba can also be used in some cases. At the onset of severe amnesia, such as Alzheimer's, anti-acetylcholinesterase inhibitor medications may be prescribed to slow the disease's progression, by increasing the level of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in synapses. Memory is important for all individuals, and learning how to maintain good mental health is vital for keeping a high quality of life. This home study course will give a thorough overview of the issues surrounding memory and amnesia.