The specific cognitive process involving the conscious retrieval of factual information and personal experiences, which is sub-categorized into semantic memory (facts) and episodic memory (events). This function relies heavily on the integrity and coordinated activity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Efficient declarative memory recall is a primary measure of cognitive health and is frequently impacted by age-related neurological changes or hormonal imbalances. It is fundamental to learning and autobiographical self-awareness.
Origin
This term is a construct from cognitive psychology and neuroscience, differentiating this explicit form of memory from non-declarative or implicit memory, such as procedural skills. The component “Recall” emphasizes the act of retrieving the stored information, a distinct phase from encoding and storage. Its study is central to understanding neuroplasticity and age-related cognitive decline.
Mechanism
The mechanism is initiated by cues that activate specific neural circuits in the cerebral cortex where the memory traces are stored. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in consolidating and indexing these memories for long-term storage and subsequent retrieval. Hormones, particularly glucocorticoids and sex steroids, modulate the expression of receptors and signaling pathways within the hippocampus, directly influencing the efficiency and emotional context of memory encoding and recall.
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