Procedural memory is associated with which brain regions?

• A. Cerebellum, Basal Ganglia, and Motor Cortex
• B. Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex
• C. Amygdala and Thalamus
• D. Occipital Lobe and Temporal Lobe

Answer: (A)

Procedural memory is the memory for how to perform tasks and skills, learned through practice rather than facts you can verbalize. The cerebellum refines and coordinates movements and supports motor learning, the basal ganglia contribute to sequencing and habit formation, and the motor cortex stores and executes motor programs. Taken together, these regions underpin the gradual acquisition and automatic execution of skilled actions. This contrasts with memory for facts and events (declarative memory), which relies more on the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The amygdala and thalamus are more about emotion processing and sensory relay, while the occipital and temporal lobes handle visual processing and perception. Therefore, the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and motor cortex are the brain regions most associated with procedural memory.