What is short term memory loss
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Understanding Short-Term Memory Loss
Definition and Key Characteristics of Short-Term Memory Loss
Short-term memory loss refers to the inability to retain information for a brief period, typically ranging from a few seconds to a minute. This type of memory loss can occur without the interference of new stimuli, suggesting that the information may decay over time or lose its distinctiveness1.
Mechanisms of Short-Term Memory Loss
Time-Dependent Decay
Research indicates that short-term memory (STM) can deteriorate over time even without retroactive interference. When participants were prevented from rehearsing information through both articulatory and nonarticulatory means, evidence of memory loss over time was observed1. This suggests that STM may be subject to decay or a loss of distinctiveness over time.
Attention and Memory Retention
Another study highlights the role of attention in maintaining short-term memory. It was found that memory items not in the focus of attention quickly lose their active neural trace, yet can still be remembered after a brief delay. This indicates that the active maintenance of a stimulus representation may not be necessary for its short-term retention, challenging the traditional view that sustained neural activity is required for STM3.
Neurological Basis of Short-Term Memory Loss
Dissociation from Long-Term Memory
Short-term memory and long-term memory (LTM) are served by different neurological systems. For instance, in Parkinson's disease (PD), only STM is impaired, while in medial temporal lobe amnesia, only LTM is affected. Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts both STM and LTM. These findings suggest that STM relies on intact corticostriatal systems, whereas LTM depends on the medial temporal lobe systems2.
Short-Term Memory in Different Age Groups
Capacity vs. Processing Deficits
In children, short-term memory limitations are often attributed to processing deficits rather than capacity limitations. Studies show that children lack the processing strategies used by adults, which affects their STM performance. Additionally, differences in the complexity and content of the long-term memory knowledge base between children and adults can lead to significant differences in STM performance5.
Conclusion
Short-term memory loss is a complex phenomenon influenced by time-dependent decay, attention mechanisms, and distinct neurological systems. Understanding these factors can help in developing strategies to mitigate STM loss and improve memory retention across different age groups and neurological conditions.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Short-term memory loss over time without retroactive stimulus interference
Short-term memory loss occurs over time, as evidenced by unevenly timed stimuli in serial recall trials without retroactive stimulus interference.
Double dissociation of short-term and long-term memory for nonverbal material in Parkinson's disease and global amnesia. A further analysis.
Short-term and long-term memory for nonverbal material are dissociable processes, with different patterns of impairment in Parkinson's disease, medial temporal lobe amnesia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Non-RCTNeural Evidence for a Distinction between Short-term Memory and the Focus of Attention
Short-term memory (STM) may not be solely dependent on maintaining active neural representations, as memory can be preserved across a brief delay despite the loss of sustained representations.
Non-RCT
Highly CitedMechanisms of forgetting in short-term memory.
Short-term memory does not disappear with time, as evidenced by a technique that eliminates rehearsal and shows no support for loss with time as an explanation of forgetting.
Non-RCTHighly CitedShort-term memory limitations in children: Capacity or processing deficits?
Children's short-term memory limitations are due to a lack of proper control processes and an impoverished long-term memory knowledge base, rather than a limitation in short-term memory capacity.
Highly CitedAge differences in short-term memory and cell loss in the cortex of the rat.
Age differences in short-term memory and cell loss in the visual cortex of rats are linked to nonsignificant age differences in original learning and nonsignificant age differences in cortical depth and brain weight.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyPossible biochemical basis of memory disorder in Alzheimer disease
Alzheimer's disease may be improved by pharmacological means by targeting a cholinergic neuronal pathway in the hippocampus.
Highly CitedShort-term memory based on activated long-term memory: A review in response to Norris (2017).
Short-term memory may be based on activated long-term memory, with no need for a separate short-term memory copy.
Highly CitedShort-Term Memory Depends on Dissociable Medial Temporal Lobe Regions in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.
In amnestic mild cognitive impairment, the medial temporal lobe plays a role in short-term memory, with dissociable cortical thinning in anterior and posterior networks.
Observational Study
Very Rigorous JournalVery Long-Term Amnesia in Association with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Evidence for Multiple-Stage Consolidation Processes
Temporal lobe epilepsy may cause very long-term amnesia by disrupting multiple-stage consolidation processes in human episodic memory.
Case ReportHighly Cited