Early studies on memory storage

Early studies on memory storage

1. Lashley’s early work (1940’s) suggested the brain works as a whole in learning and memory, i.e., mass action.

   • He sought physical representation of memory in the cerebral cortex, i.e., engram
     • He sought physical representation of memory in the cerebral cortex, i.e., engram
       • He reasoned that if different parts of the brain formed connections or were strengthened by learning, then separating them after learning maze (motor) would abolish memory trace
         • But it did not. Effect of lesions related more to amount than location of cortex removed
           • Concluded: There was no specific site of memory, No one part of cortex is responsible i.e., equipotentiality
             • Debate about distributed vs. localised systems