The FOUR DISTINCT TYPES OF MEMORY

The primary neurotransmitter responsible for memory function is acetylcholine.
There are four distinct types of memory, each ruled by one of the major neurotransmitters.


WORKING MEMORY----- Invloves the ability to absorb info or stimuli and retain it, bringing together old and current data, if the brain is overloaded with the latter, it will dump older memories. Working is affected by the frontal lobes and the biochemical Dopamine.



IMMEDIATE MEMORY----- Which lasts 30 seconds before the thought becomes long- term memory, consists of auditory and visual memory, an indication of one's learning capabilities and basic alertness. Immediate memory governed by the parietal lobe and the biochemical ACETYLCHOLINE.


VERBAL MEMORY ------ Necessary to produce and understand sound, words, sentences, stories, verbal memory controlled by the temporal lobes, and the biochemical GABA.


VISUAL MEMORY------ The ability to absorb and retain information such as faces, colors, shapes, designs, surroundings, pictures, and symbols. People who can drive to a location after being there only once, have exellent visual memory. Visual memory assisted by the occipital lobes and the biochemical Serotonin.


Excerpt's from The Edge Effect, Eric Braverman, MD