Write a short note on implicit and explicit memory.

Implicit and explicit memory are two distinct forms of memory storage, each serving different functions and involving distinct neural mechanisms.

Implicit Memory:
Implicit memory refers to the unconscious or non-conscious memory of past experiences, skills, or information. It operates without conscious awareness and is expressed through performance or behavior rather than conscious recollection. Examples of implicit memory include procedural memory (memory for skills and procedures), priming (the enhanced identification or processing of stimuli due to prior exposure), and classical conditioning (associative learning between stimuli).

Explicit Memory:
Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, refers to conscious or consciously accessible memory of facts, events, and experiences. It involves deliberate effort and awareness in recalling information. Explicit memory can be further divided into episodic memory (memory for specific events, experiences, and autobiographical details) and semantic memory (memory for general knowledge, facts, and concepts).

While implicit and explicit memory systems interact and influence each other, they are functionally distinct and rely on different brain structures. Implicit memory primarily involves subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia and cerebellum, while explicit memory relies on cortical regions including the hippocampus, medial temporal lobe, and prefrontal cortex.