<Li> The information stored in SM is modality specific . This means for example, that echoic memory is for the exclusive storage of auditory information, and haptic memory is for the exclusive storage of tactile information . </Li> <Li> Each SM store represents an immense amount of detail resulting in very high resolution of information . </Li> <Li> Each SM store is very brief and lasts a very short period of time . Once the SM trace has decayed or is replaced by a new memory, the information stored is no longer accessible and is ultimately lost . All SM stores have slightly different durations which is discussed in more detail on their respective pages . </Li> <P> It is widely accepted that all forms of SM are very brief in duration; however, the approximated duration of each memory store is not static . Iconic memory, for example, holds visual information for approximately 250 milliseconds . The SM is made up of spatial or categorical stores of different kinds of information, each subject to different rates of information processing and decay . The visual sensory store has a relatively high capacity, with the ability to hold up to 12 items . Genetics also play a role in SM capacity; mutations to the brain - derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a nerve growth factor, and N - methyl - D - aspartate (NMDA) receptors, responsible for synaptic plasticity, decrease iconic and echoic memory capacities respectively . </P>

The storage device of sensory memory is called the