― R E S E A R C H ―
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“We can’t control our memory or our dreams; they derive from our individual experiences,
What is memory, exactly? Memory is our ability to record, keep and use information. We can’t control our memory or our dreams; they derive from our individual experiences, which are by nature subjective. Every day we’re learning more about the neurophysiological mechanisms that support memory and learning processes. Research is underway to look at how changes to these processes also change the way memory is consolidated, as well as how ageing affects them. How is memory consolidated during sleep? Sleep is vital! For one thing, it helps with both learning and memory consolidation. The latter can be defined as a processes over time that lasts anything from several minutes to several hours, during which fragile, recently-acquired memory traces are strengthened in long- term memory. It’s an excellent example of the plasticity of the brain, in other words its ability to adapt its structure to incorporate new experiences. The field is expanding rapidly, as are research hypotheses investigating these highly complex mechanisms. I’d like to mention two dominant models: - the hippocampo-neocortical dialogue According to this theory, recently-learned information is quickly stored and kept temporarily during the day in parts of the hippocampus, an essential part of our brain that contains thousands of highly-connected neurones that look a little like tree roots. These memories are then transferred more slowly to long-term neocortical memory while we’re asleep. - the synaptic homeostasis theory This theoretical approach sees memory consolidation as a regulated homeostatic process, in other words our brain maintaining a stable balance in memory reinforcement in the same way that our body makes sure to maintain constant body temperature. The ability to recall facts and events such as historical dates, a person’s name, or the information required to pass an exam is referred to as declarative memory. Acquiring motor skills, for example when learning to walk, dance, or drive a car, is referred to as procedural memory. Together, these two types of memory make up long-term memory.
which are by nature subjective”.
Picture - ©Hai Gatewood
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