Long term memory
Capacity of long term memory is literary limitless and information
stored there can be kept for a very long time (from a few seconds to a
lifetime). Information from short term
memory is passed to long term one by means of repetition. Information in long
term memory is kept in both conscious memory (when a unit of information
appears on a conscious level) and in unconscious memory (when something is
remembered, but a person is not aware of remembering the thing). Cortex is that
part of the brain that is responsible for this type of memory.
It is believed that
information in long term memory is kept not in separate units, by on the basis
of connections. We link things that we want to remember with those images that
are already in our memory creating a network of information units
(associations). The bigger experience we have the easier it is for us to link
new information with the one that we already have and to put it in order so
that we could study and remember easier.
Foundation of long term memory
Foundation of long term memory
For decades scientists have
been trying to find physiological proofs of memory existence. It is believed
now that changes in neurons (that determine long term memory) happen in
neuronal synapses. Our experience changes
networks of brain neurons. Formed or strengthened links among neurons is a
response to increased activity of certain neurotic paths. It has been proven by
scientific research that having destroyed certain paths of conditioned reflexes
cerebellum of animals they fail to remember things that they can do under other
severe circumstances.
The same can be said about
humans. When a person becomes ill with Alzheimer disease, encephalic tissue
that educes important neuro-mediator, atrophies. This leads to severe memory losses.
Scientists have found an
impulsive molecules stage that allows for a short lived impulse to continue
around ten minutes and by doing so it provides structure of the brains with
stronger links (synapses) that enable us to remember things for months or even
decades. This may have influence for curing such as the above mentioned
diseases.
Problems that are connected
with this memory may be caused by sleeping problems, alcoholism, depression,
chronic fatigue syndrome, some physiological changes in the brains that
sometimes happen due to aging, as well as serious traumas that we have
experienced in the past. When one notices these things in time, one can stop
the advance of memory loss in most cases.