Generally, the structures involved in memory processing includes temporal structures (such as the hippocampus, parahippocampus, and amygdala), diencephalon structures (including the thalamus and mammillary bodies), the prefrontal cortex, and the cerebellum. Lastly, r etrieval is the access to the stored information by neural connections. Meanwhile, consolidation is the slow process in which memory transitions from short- term to long- term through repeated connections. Encoding is information intake by the senses, while storage is the stable record of the information in our brains. Memory processing is broken down into four stages: encoding, storage, consolidation, and retrieval. Long- term memory is broken down into explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory Short- term memory (also known as working memory) only lasts for a small time period to allow people to complete tasks. There are two forms of memory: short- term and long- term. It is possible because neurons have plasticity, where neurons remember and make new connections throughout the brain to send and receive information. Memory is defined as the retention of learned information. However, studies continue to look at alternative regions and less prominent lobes to better determine the full capabilities of semantic memory. Primarily, the structures hypothesized to be important are found in the cerebrum, specifically at the temporal lobe. Major regions and lobes of the brainĪs will be discussed later on in this article, semantic memory is speculated to use multiple structures throughout the brain. While certain regions and lobes may be associated with specific functions, many functions require multiple brain structures and regions. The cerebrum is further broken down into lobes, including the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Generally, the brain is broken down into four main sections: the cerebrum (also called the cerebral cortex, or just cortex), cerebellum, diencephalon, and brain stem. Several structures in the brain have been studied in relation to semantic memory. Neurons make up all aspects of the nervous system, including the central nervous system ( which is the brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system ( which are all other neurons). This is done as one neuron synapses on the next, where the electrical signal turns chemical before becoming electrical again at the adjacent neuron. They are able to quickly stimulate adjacent neurons and spread throughout the body almost instantly by use of electrical signals. Neurons (or nerve cells) are individual cells that make up the entirety of the nervous system. Semantic memory is a cognitive ability possible due to neural connections in the brain. Semantic Memory Background Neurons and the Brain However, those with specific diseases- such as Alzheimer’s, semantic dementia, and herpes simplex encephalitis- may have temporal lobe degradation that can affect semantic memory. Though age is known to affect memory, semantic memory has not been found to diminish naturally with age. However, several effects- including category size, typicality, false-relatedness, context, familiarity, and fast- true- have been postulated. Studies are ongoing to determine how exactly semantic memories are stored and retrieved. While there is some overlap with episodic memory’s temporal and frontal brain structures, it is speculated that the major structures for semantic memory is found in the inferolateral temporal lobe. Though studied for decades, much about it is still unknown, such as the specific brain parts used in its processing. Semantic memory is a cognitive sub-topic in psychology regarding the human ability to remember knowledge and facts.
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