Long-term memory

Long-term memory (LTM) is the stage of the dual memory model proposed by the Atkinson-Shiffrin memory model, and informative knowledge can be stored for prolonged periods of time. While short-term and working memory persist for only about 18 to 30 seconds, long-term memory can last a lifetime.

The long-term memory differs structurally and functionally from working memory or short-term memory, requiring a process of memory consolidation to enhance the memory and to make it permanent. This process may perhaps involve neural plasticity, the changing of neurons, the structure of their synapses, and their functionality.

Types of Long-term Memory

Long-term memory is usually divided into two types: declarative memory (explicit memory) and procedural memory (implicit memory).

Declarative Memory

Declarative memory requires conscious recall, in that some conscious process must call back the information. It is sometimes called explicit memory, since it consists of information that is explicitly stored and retrieved.

Procedural Memory

Procedural memory is a part of the long-term memory is responsible for knowing how to do things, also known as motor skills. As such, it is a part of the memory that is very difficult to be verbalized.

Memory Consolidation

Memory consolidation is a category of processes that stabilize a memory trace after its initial acquisition. Consolidation is distinguished into two specific processes, synaptic consolidation, which is synonymous with late-phase long-term potentiation, and system consolidation, where hippocampus-dependent memories become independent of the hippocampus over time.

See Also

• Short-term memory
• Working memory
• Memory consolidation
• Declarative memory
• Procedural memory

References

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