Brain Functions and Memories

Klaming and Vedder (2009) describe an interesting finding regarding memory and the brain:

           “Recently, Canadian neurosurgeons unintentionally demonstrated the memory enhancing effect of a

            neurotechnology called deep brain stimulation (DBS). In order to improve the condition of a patient with 

            morbid obesity, they decided to stimulate a region in his brain involved in the regulation of metabolic 

            functions by means of electrical impulses. This brain-based treatment was intended to suppress the 

            patient’s appetite, but it inadvertently evoked autobiographical memory of events that had occurred more

            than 30 years ago. The autobiographical memory effects were found whenever electrical stimulation 

            occurred.  Although the correctness of these memories remains to be verified, for example by comparing 

            the patient’s recollections of his past with his family members’ recollections of his past, the surgeons 

            found persistent memory improvement when they conducted a neuropsychological assessment with 

            standardized tests after the operation. (p. 203).

The Interconnectedness of the Brain:

It is an interesting article to say the least, and this is only the introduction!  There are many different sections of the brain, each controlling different functions.  The following video gives a brief tour of the different parts and functions of the brain.  Click here to view the video.  Although each section of the brain has a particular function or multiple functions that it controls, the article above shows that brain function is not quite as clear-cut as the video portrays.  The neurosurgeons used electrical impulses with the intention of controlling a patient's appetite and instead, recovered previously 'forgotten' memories. Even simple pieces of information such as a social security number can be allocated throughout several different parts of the brain (Ormrod, Schunk, & Gredler, 2009).  

Memory Retrieval:

Why is it that some memories are easily recovered while others seem altogether erased from memory?  The authors of the article,  "On the permanence of stored information in the human brain," ask a similar question: "Does forgetting consist of an actual loss of stored information, or does it result from a loss of access to information, which, once stored, remains forever" (Loftus & Loftus, 1980)?  The following two statements were taken from the article, "On the permanence of stored information in the human brain."  

1. "Everything we learn is permanently stored in the mind, although sometimes particular details are not ac- cessible. With hypnosis, or other special techniques, these inaccessible details could eventually be recovered" (Loftus & Loftus, 1980).

2. "Some details that we learn may be permanently lost from memory. Such details would never be able to be recovered by hypnosis, or any other special technique, because these details are simply no longer there" (Loftus & Loftus, 1980).

Statement 1 assumes that the primary reason for forgetfulness is in the retrieval process.  Statement 2 presumes that the memory was never properly stored in long-term memory and therefore, can not be retrieved.  Many theorists have disagreed and wrestled with the previous two statements.  The question of storing memories versus the retrieval of memories being the main culprit for forgetfulness may be an impossible question to outright answer (Loftus & Loftus, 1980).  Methods such as studies with animals, postmortem studies, case studies, electrical recording, and neuroimaging (Ormrod, Schunk, & Gredler, 2009) have been used to study the brain.  However, each method has disadvantages which makes studying the complexity of the brain a difficult process.

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Brain Anatomy and Functions [Video]. (2009). Medical Legal Art. Retrieved from:  

          http://www.necleusinc.com/medical-animation 

Klaming, L. & Vedder, A. (December 1, 2009).  Brushing Up our Memories: Can we use Neurotechnologies to   

         Improve Eyewitness Memory? Journal of Law, Innovation and Technology, 203-221.  Retrieved from 

         Walden Library.

Loftus, E. & Loftus, G. (May 1, 1980). On the permanence of stored information in the human brain. Journal of American Psychologist, 409-420.  Retrieved from Walden LIbrary. 

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009).  Learning Theories and Instruction (Laureate Custom Edition). New York: Pearson.