Spatial memory

Spatial memory

In cognitive psychology and neuroscience, spatial memory is the part of memory responsible for recording information about one's environment and its spatial orientation. For example, a person's spatial memory is required in order to navigate around a familiar city, just as a rat's spatial memory is needed to learn the location of food at the end of a maze. It is often argued that a person's, or an animal's, spatial memories are summarised in a cognitive map.

Spatial memories are formed after an organism gathers and processes sensory information about its surroundings (especially vision and proprioception). In general, mammals require a functioning hippocampus (particularly area CA1) in order to form and process memories about space. There is some evidence that human spatial memory is strongly tied to the right hemisphere of the brain [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=3677733 Memory for spatial and temporal order in aphasics...] Cortex, 1987 PubMed Result:PMID: 3677733] [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?holding=npg&cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10050894&dopt=Abstract Differential spatial memory impairment after right...] Brain, 1999 - PubMed Result:PMID: 10050894] [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10403200 Mood and spatial memory: emotion and right hemisph...] Biol. Psychol., 1999 - PubMed Result:PMID: 10403200] .

Spatial learning requires both NMDA and AMPA receptors, consolidation requires NMDA receptors, and the retrieval of spatial memories requires AMPA receptors [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7796636 Involvement of hippocampal NMDA and AMPA receptors...] Chin J Physiol., 1994 - PubMed Result:PMID: 7796636] . In rodents, spatial memory has been shown to covary with the size of a part of the hippocampal mossy fiber projection. [Cite journal
author = W. E. Crusio & H. Schwegler
year = 2005
title = Learning spatial orientation tasks in the radial-maze and structural variation in the hippocampus in inbred mice
journal = Behavioral and Brain Functions
volume = 1
pages = 3
url = http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions.com/content/1/1/3
]

The study of spatial memory provides valuable information about the type of complex processes which occurs in humans. It gives insight, into complex procedures. For example, species such as the grey squirrel or Clark's Nutcracker, which are scatter hoarders (making numerous small caches, usually of nuts) show a remarkable ability to return to their caches months later. Such species often have a larger hippocampus, relative to overall brain size, than related non-hoarding species. Spatial memory is also important in animal migration, and in foraging in complex environments with many different food sources which become available in different seasons, the situation that faces many frugivorous primates.

References

Important Cortical Regions

* Prefrontal cortex
* Retrosplenial cortex
* Posterior parietal cortex
* Perirhinal cortex
* Entorhinal cortex
* Hippocampus


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Memory disorder — Memory can be defined as an organism s ability to encode, retain, and recall information. Disorders of memory can range from mild to severe, yet are all a result of damage to neuroanatomical structures; either in part or in full. This damage… …   Wikipedia

  • Memory — For other uses, see Memory (disambiguation). Neuropsychology Topics …   Wikipedia

  • Memory improvement — The hippocampus regulates memory function. Memory improvement is the act of improving one s memory. Medical research of memory deficits and age related memory loss has resulted in new explanations and treatment techniques to improve memory,… …   Wikipedia

  • Memory span — In psychology and neuroscience, memory span is the longest list of items that a person can repeat back in correct order immediately after presentation on 50% of all trials. Items may include words, numbers, or letters. The task is known as digit… …   Wikipedia

  • Memory errors — Memory gaps and errors refer to the incorrect recall, or complete loss, of information in the memory system for a specific detail and/or event. Memory errors may include remembering events that never occurred, or remembering them differently from …   Wikipedia

  • Memory consolidation — is a category of processes that stabilize a memory trace after the initial acquisition.[1] Consolidation is distinguished into two specific processes, synaptic consolidation, which occurs within the first few hours after learning, and system… …   Wikipedia

  • Memory rehearsal — is a term for the role of repetition in the retention of memories, e.g., working memory rehearsal tasks. In the Baddeley s model of working memory, this ability comprises a central executive and two buffers the phonological loop and the visuo… …   Wikipedia

  • memory — /mem euh ree/, n., pl. memories. 1. the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences. 2. this faculty as possessed by a particular individual: to have a …   Universalium

  • Spatial anti-aliasing — In digital signal processing, spatial anti aliasing is the technique of minimizing the distortion artifacts known as aliasing when representing a high resolution image at a lower resolution. Anti aliasing is used in digital photography, computer… …   Wikipedia

  • Spatial file manager — In computing, a spatial file manager is a file manager that uses a spatial metaphor to represent files and folders as if they are real physical objects.ConceptsThe base requirements of a spatial file manager are:# Each folder is represented by a… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”