(November 1, 2011) Human memory has historically defied precise
scientific description, its biological functions broadly but imperfectly
defined in psychological terms. In a pair of papers published in the November 2
issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, researchers at the University of
California, San Diego report a new methodology that more deeply parses how and
where certain types of memories are processed in the brain, and challenges
earlier assumptions about the role of the hippocampus.
Specifically, Larry R. Squire,
PhD, a Research Career scientist at the VA Medical Center, San Diego and
professor of psychiatry, neurosciences, and psychology at UC San Diego, and
Christine N. Smith, PhD, a project scientist, say that contrary to current
thinking the hippocampus (a small seahorse-shaped structure located deep in the
center of the brain and long associated with memory function) supports both
recollection and familiarity memories when these memories are strong.
Recollection and familiarity
memory are two components of recognition memory – the ability to identify an
item as having been previously encountered. Recollection memory involves
remembering specific details about a learning episode, such as where and when
the episode occurred. Familiarity memory refers to remembering an item as
previously encountered, but without any recall of specific details, such as
recognizing someone’s face but recalling nothing else about that person (For
example, where you met the person.).