Which part of the brain is responsible for procedural memories?

The cerebellum is crucial for the formation and retrieval of procedural memories, which are types of long-term memory related to the performance of tasks and skills. Procedural memories enable individuals to remember how to perform actions such as riding a bicycle, playing an instrument, or typing on a keyboard. The cerebellum, located at the back of the brain, plays an essential role in motor control and coordination, making it integral to learning motor skills that involve repetitive practice.

While the hippocampus is important for declarative memories, which pertain to facts and events, and the amygdala is involved in emotional memories, these structures do not primarily process procedural memories. Furthermore, the cortex is associated with complex information processing and is involved in higher-level cognitive functions, but it does not specifically handle the memory of skills and tasks as effectively as the cerebellum does. Thus, the cerebellum stands out as the specific brain region responsible for procedural memory formation and execution.