What Part of the Brain Controls Memory?
Answer – The hippocampus and other related structures in the temporal lobe are responsible for carrying out memory-related functions in the brain.
Explanation:
Different types of memories are stored across different, interconnected brain regions:
- The hippocampus controls declarative and episodic memories (memories that can be consciously recalled and recollected). The hippocampus is where new memories are encoded; it also plays the main role in memory consolidation, which is the process of transferring new learning into long-term memory.
- The cerebellum plays a role in processing procedural memories, such as how to play the piano.
- The amygdala is involved in storage of fear-based memories and regulation of related emotions. Depending on whether an emotional response is strong or weak, the amygdala decides where to store a memory.
- The prefrontal cortex stores short-term working memories.
- Explicit memories like episodic memories, semantics, general information, etc. are stored in the hippocampus, the neocortex, and the amygdala.
- Implicit memories like motor memories and recognition memories are stored in the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
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