Tuesday, June 13, 2006
♥ Distinction~ Yeah, hard work is not wasted!! T_T
Running head: Acquisition and the loss of memory
Acquisition and the main diseases that causes the loss of memory
Cindy Toh
SCIC-PATH
Memory is the retention of, and ability to recall, information, personal experiences, and procedures (skills and habits). ( Schacter 1996). Since memory is a wide topic, I am going to focus on how memory is acquired and the main diseases that cause the loss of memory.
According to Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968; Baddeley, 1999, human memory is made up of three stages of memory. The sensory register holds an exact image of each sensory experience for a short brief interval until it can be fully processed. Short-term memory holds between five to nine bits of information and can be stored for short periods of time and Long-term memory refers to memories that can be recalled for numerous years (perhaps the entire lifetime).
We all know that diseases affect us both physically and mentally; but, in this case, it mostly affects the mental process. The diseases that affect us mainly include Alzheimer’s disease and amnesia, which are collectively known as dementia.
Alzheimer's disease Association (Singapore) shows that Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. It is rather, a group of symptoms that might accompany certain diseases or conditions. Dementia usually occur gradually, and will start with simple forgetfulness, before getting more critical like forgetting the names and faces of people, like your family members. It is caused by the death of brain cells and can be classified into cortical and sub-cortical dementia.
Amnesia can be classified into anterograde and retrograde forms. Anterograde amnesia is an inability to consciously retrieve information in long-term memory. This is the most common form of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease falls under this category as well. It is caused by damage in the hippocampus, which is closely linked with the memory, as well as other brain structures ( Kandel & Hawkins, 1992; Scoville & Milner, 1957)). Retrograde amnesia is the inability to recall things that happened just before or during stressful events and is thought to occur due to the fragile memories that had not been consolidated ( Dudai, 2004; Wixted, 2004).
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of anterograde and cannot be cured at the moment. It will affect those who are 65 years and above. MayoClinic.com shows that a certain genes, apoE, as well as gender will also cause Alzheimer’s disease. One is also likelier to get Alzheimer’s disease without mental stimulation. Although it cannot be prevented, but it seems that people with higher education levels are at a less of a risk.
In conclusion, the deterioration process can be slowed down with medication and care and concern from their loved ones. Love and care are very important as it can not only help to slow down deterioration, it can also give the person courage and determination to recall their memories. Results have also shown that higher education levels can reduce the percentage of getting Alzheimer’s disease. There are many kinds of amnesia; some are unable to retrieve new information while some are unable to recall events happened. Alzheimer’s disease is quite scary because we will forget everything, including our family members and who we are and worse, we will not be able to take care of ourselves.
References
Lahey, B. (2007). Memory._ Psychology: An Introduction (Ninth Edition).
The three stages of memory: An information-Processing View, 235-243.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2005).
Alzheimer’s disease Defined. Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/defined/01.html
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2005).
Alzheimer’s disease: Causes and Risk Factors. Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/causes/01.html
Alzheimer's Association. (2006). What is Alzheimer’s Disease. Retrieved from the web
15 May, 2006. www.alz.org/AboutAD/WhatIsAD.asp
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Coll
Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/d/dementia.htmege of Medicine. (2006).
Health/Library, Inc. (2001). Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00161.html
HowStuffWorks, Inc. (1998). Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question672.htm
I got distinction + for my essay and credit for my references.. So, total I got distinction.. Well, of course I am very happy that I got distinction.. I spent alot of time doing it one you know?? Haha.. I thought I will fail cause I don't know how to do.. Anyway, ms sylvia said she will not be so strict for this, as this is our first essay.. But, in another way, it's just 5%... I am more worried for the 70% one.. If that one also can get distinction, that's good.. ^_^ I guess I will be having sleepless night these few days for the 70% essay.. Want to get distinction for the major one is not very easy ba??
Acquisition and the main diseases that causes the loss of memory
Cindy Toh
SCIC-PATH
Memory is the retention of, and ability to recall, information, personal experiences, and procedures (skills and habits). ( Schacter 1996). Since memory is a wide topic, I am going to focus on how memory is acquired and the main diseases that cause the loss of memory.
According to Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968; Baddeley, 1999, human memory is made up of three stages of memory. The sensory register holds an exact image of each sensory experience for a short brief interval until it can be fully processed. Short-term memory holds between five to nine bits of information and can be stored for short periods of time and Long-term memory refers to memories that can be recalled for numerous years (perhaps the entire lifetime).
We all know that diseases affect us both physically and mentally; but, in this case, it mostly affects the mental process. The diseases that affect us mainly include Alzheimer’s disease and amnesia, which are collectively known as dementia.
Alzheimer's disease Association (Singapore) shows that Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. It is rather, a group of symptoms that might accompany certain diseases or conditions. Dementia usually occur gradually, and will start with simple forgetfulness, before getting more critical like forgetting the names and faces of people, like your family members. It is caused by the death of brain cells and can be classified into cortical and sub-cortical dementia.
Amnesia can be classified into anterograde and retrograde forms. Anterograde amnesia is an inability to consciously retrieve information in long-term memory. This is the most common form of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease falls under this category as well. It is caused by damage in the hippocampus, which is closely linked with the memory, as well as other brain structures ( Kandel & Hawkins, 1992; Scoville & Milner, 1957)). Retrograde amnesia is the inability to recall things that happened just before or during stressful events and is thought to occur due to the fragile memories that had not been consolidated ( Dudai, 2004; Wixted, 2004).
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of anterograde and cannot be cured at the moment. It will affect those who are 65 years and above. MayoClinic.com shows that a certain genes, apoE, as well as gender will also cause Alzheimer’s disease. One is also likelier to get Alzheimer’s disease without mental stimulation. Although it cannot be prevented, but it seems that people with higher education levels are at a less of a risk.
In conclusion, the deterioration process can be slowed down with medication and care and concern from their loved ones. Love and care are very important as it can not only help to slow down deterioration, it can also give the person courage and determination to recall their memories. Results have also shown that higher education levels can reduce the percentage of getting Alzheimer’s disease. There are many kinds of amnesia; some are unable to retrieve new information while some are unable to recall events happened. Alzheimer’s disease is quite scary because we will forget everything, including our family members and who we are and worse, we will not be able to take care of ourselves.
References
Lahey, B. (2007). Memory._ Psychology: An Introduction (Ninth Edition).
The three stages of memory: An information-Processing View, 235-243.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2005).
Alzheimer’s disease Defined. Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/defined/01.html
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2005).
Alzheimer’s disease: Causes and Risk Factors. Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/causes/01.html
Alzheimer's Association. (2006). What is Alzheimer’s Disease. Retrieved from the web
15 May, 2006. www.alz.org/AboutAD/WhatIsAD.asp
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Coll
Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/d/dementia.htmege of Medicine. (2006).
Health/Library, Inc. (2001). Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00161.html
HowStuffWorks, Inc. (1998). Retrieved from the web 15 May, 2006.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question672.htm
I got distinction + for my essay and credit for my references.. So, total I got distinction.. Well, of course I am very happy that I got distinction.. I spent alot of time doing it one you know?? Haha.. I thought I will fail cause I don't know how to do.. Anyway, ms sylvia said she will not be so strict for this, as this is our first essay.. But, in another way, it's just 5%... I am more worried for the 70% one.. If that one also can get distinction, that's good.. ^_^ I guess I will be having sleepless night these few days for the 70% essay.. Want to get distinction for the major one is not very easy ba??
6/13/2006 01:18:00 AM
