Memory mechanisms in the brain
Memory mechanisms encompass the cognitive processes involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving information, playing a crucial role in human cognition and behavior. Understanding memory is essential as it underlies learning, decision-making, and identity formation, while also highlighting the potential for memory-related disorders, which can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Memory mechanisms are often categorized into short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM), each of which serves distinct functions and involves different neural processes and structures in the brain, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. The processes of memory can be broken down into three primary stages: encoding, storage, and retrieval. During encoding, information from the environment is transformed into a format that can be stored in the brain, with the depth of processing influencing the strength of memory retention. Following encoding, information enters ...