ALPHABETICAL BRAIN VOCABULARY Flash Card #61 - Details WHAT IS YOUR "LONG-TERM MEMORY" AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? Your LONG-TERM MEMORY stores permanent memories in your HIPPOCAMPUS, which is a critical part of your LIMBIC SYSTEM. When the NEURAL PATHWAYS between your PFC and your HIPPOCAMPUS are damaged, either from lesions or plaque, symptoms of DEMENTIA, including ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, can begin and get progressively worse over the period of 10 to 20 years. However, victims of "early onset" ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE can become severely disabled in a relatively short period of time. Return to #61: LONG-TERM MEMORY or BRAIN FACTS MATRIX