5. Working Memory Deficits
The most popular and long-lasting theory of memory involves three separate memory ‘stores’ known as ‘short term memory’, ‘long term memory’ and ‘working memory’. It was once thought that the brain would store information in these three boxes and move it from one to the other only as a result of repetition.
Today we take a slightly different view. The working memory is the ‘shortest term’ form of memory and describes the kind of memory that we use in order to solve problems or perform tasks. If someone gives you a phone number to dial, or if you try to carry out a math problem – this is your working memory in action.
However, working memory can also be visual and auditory. This is what we use when remember a scene or when we repeat what someone just said. Thus we use working memory all the time to navigate the world around us. Information is then stored in long term memory primarily if it is deemed important based on the presence of excitatory neurotransmitters.
In short, working memory requires multiple different brain areas working in tandem, which explains why it is among the areas most likely to be affected by dementia. This can result in poor cognitive reasoning skills, poor attention and poor short-term memory.