Memory

In recent decades, research on the physiological basis of human memory in the brain has intensified. Much has been learned about how information in memory is organized in the brain, and the roles various parts of the brain play in memory from research with those with amnesia or aphasia. In fact, detailed studies of individuals with unusual patterns of brain damage have produced much of our current knowledge about the physiological basis of human memory. It seems that numerous brain structures are involved in memory processing and various subtypes of memory. For instance, the ventromedial frontal region of the brain (an area in the lower front portion) seems to link memory and emotions, and the basal ganglia (a set of neural cell bodies set deep in the base of the cerebral hemispheres) are involved in learning new motor skills. Indeed, some researchers would argue that in a broad sense, one could say the entire brain is involved with some aspect of memory.