Memory systems in the brain and localization of a memory

RF Thompson, JJ Kim - … of the national academy of sciences, 1996 - National Acad Sciences
RF Thompson, JJ Kim
Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 1996National Acad Sciences
It is now clear that there are a number of different forms or aspects of learning and memory
that involve different brain systems. Broadly, memory phenomena have been categorized as
explicit or implicit. Thus, explicit memories for experience involve the hippocampus–medial
temporal lobe system and implicit basic associative learning and memory involves the
cerebellum, amygdala, and other systems. Under normal conditions, however, many of
these brain–memory systems are engaged to some degree in learning situations. But each …
It is now clear that there are a number of different forms or aspects of learning and memory that involve different brain systems. Broadly, memory phenomena have been categorized as explicit or implicit. Thus, explicit memories for experience involve the hippocampus–medial temporal lobe system and implicit basic associative learning and memory involves the cerebellum, amygdala, and other systems. Under normal conditions, however, many of these brain–memory systems are engaged to some degree in learning situations. But each of these brain systems is learning something different about the situation. The cerebellum is necessary for classical conditioning of discrete behavioral responses (eyeblink, limb flexion) under all conditions; however, in the “trace” procedure where a period of no stimuli intervenes between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus the hippocampus plays a critical role. Trace conditioning appears to provide a simple model of explicit memory where analysis of brain substrates is feasible. Analysis of the role of the cerebellum in basic delay conditioning (stimuli overlap) indicates that the memories are formed and stored in the cerebellum. The phenomenon of cerebellar long-term depression is considered as a putative mechanism of memory storage.
National Acad Sciences