what part of the brain controls shortterm and longterm memory

The hippocampus is the main brain region involved in forming new memories and moving short-term memories into long-term storage, while the prefrontal cortex helps hold short-term memory temporarily. Long-term memories are then stored more broadly across the cerebral cortex , not in one single spot.

Quick Scoop

• Short-term memory: mainly the prefrontal cortex , which briefly holds information in mind.

• Memory conversion: the hippocampus helps turn short-term memories into long-term memories.

• Long-term memory: stored across the cortex/cerebral cortex as part of a wider memory network.

Simple way to think about it

If memory were a file system:

• the prefrontal cortex is like your workspace,
• the hippocampus is like the organizer that files things away,
• the cortex is the long-term archive.

Important note

Memory is not controlled by just one brain part. It is a network process, and areas like the thalamus and other cortical regions also help with consolidation and retrieval.

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