What are the differences between the two long term memory systems of procedural and episodic memory?

Long term memory has been divided into two distinct memory subsystems, which are declarative (explicit, conscious) memory, and non-declarative (implicit, unconscious) memory. Procedural memory is an example of non-declarative memory, and refers to non-conscious, automatic memory of how to perform motor actions. Examples of procedural memory include knowledge of how to ride a bike, drive a car, or perform other habitual behaviours. Episodic memory is an example of declarative memory, and refers to conscious memory for personal past events. An example of an episodic memory would be a memory of a past birthday. Therefore, the primary differences between the two memory types would include the level of consciousness - with procedural being non-conscious, and episodic being conscious; and the type of information stored - with procedural memory consisting of learnt motor skills, and episodic memory consisting of past life events. The separation of the two memory systems may result in differences in the characteristics of memory, such as resistance to amnesia or capacity, or in the brain areas in which the two systems reside, which would be reflected in neuropsychological patients such as HM.

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