Numerous brain areas are involved in memory and in addition the two hemispheres tend to deal with different types of incoming information. In practice the most important of these is the dominant (usually left) hemispheres role in processing and storing verbal information (what we hear and read) and the non-dominant hemispheres involvement with visual information (pictures, faces, images, etc).
Because a stroke is often localised in one hemisphere of the brain they can impact considerably on one form of memory leaving the other relatively intact.
As the diagram below shows many brain areas are involved in memory. It is important to remember that these brain areas do not work in isolation but are involved in complex networks that underpin memory processes. A couple of the key brain areas are highlighted- click on these for more information.
Have a look at the following 3 short scenarios to explore memory after a stroke in a little more detail.
