Car Course Mechanic

When evaluating the information content of the brain, two classical polarities are clearly those of equipotence and localization. That the celebral cortex is a cohesive mass where one part in it may well substitute the other sits in stark contrast to the theory of hard-wiredness, of absolute cognitive faculties systematically located at places carefully assigned to them.

Arguably, there must be some reason behind the particularity of neural patterns and a sense of specific accuracy concomitant to it. And yet, theories of evolutionary accretion would put forth conjectures in support of natural redundencies in the 'normal' flow of natural selection. Tracing intrauterine development reveals a pattern of fetal growth where the embryo goes through stages remininscent of fishes, reptiles and nonprimate mammals before it becomes recognizably human, in which case, it is understandable to expect minor degrees of extraneousness, or at least, some lateralization of the concept of the absolute specific.

Redundancy of Memory Storage

A pioneering effort in the field of research on the mechanisms of learning and memory, Karl Lashley's experiment turned the tables on phrenology, a field of study that extremized the significance of localization. In his study of engrams - places on the cerebral cortex where learning took place, he surgically extirpated sizeable parts of up to 10% from different locations on the frontal cortex of lab rats. No significant changes were noted and the rats' recollection of previously learned behaviour on how to run mazes was largely intact, indicating that the same memory must be localized in various regions within the cortex, thus lending weight to the theory of equipotentiality.

Localization of Distinct Types and Sub Types of Memory

While a tangible redundancy in cognitive function is a plausible argument, the equipotence hypothesis has its own limitations. Lesions in the brain may not have apparent effects on behavior but it is often hard to identify subjective subtleties, especially in nonverbal domains. Staying within the realms of memory traces, it is of interest to uncover how different types of memories have their own differing types of neural substrates and reside in their own little homes in the compact cosmos of our brains.

Short- and Long Term Memory

The first major classification is clearly governed by the length of stay. Short- and long term memories have common mechanisms of encoding, storage and retrieval, but the processes are at play in different locations in the brain. The hippocampal cortex has a pivotal bearing on both, assuming the role of the channel that transfers things from our short term 'working' memory on to our long term memory banks. So, therein lies the first toast to definitiveness. But where do these long term memories get stored? Research has proven that strains of a single memory may be broken down into more minute elements and stored within multiple regions of the nervous system through complex circuitry.

Why Are Old People Prone to Forgetfulness?