5.15 - Learning and Memory

Question 1

Name the principal brain parts associated with learning and some of their characteristics.

Answer 1

Hippocampus
> important for obtaining new declarative memories, → key to memory formation.
Is highly connected, both to itself and to the other parts of the brain.
> contains cognitive map of the environment
> not necessary for non-declarative memories and procedural learning.
> not involved with the storage of long-term memory.

Entorhinal cortex
> has Grid cells: locate how far you are from an initial point, measure direction and distance.

Amygdala
> responsible for emotions, survival instincts, and memory. > plays a role in sexual activity and libido, or sex drive.

Question 2

What is CAMK2 and its role in learning and memory?

Answer 2

CAMK2 is called “the memory molecule” because it plays a crucial part in learning. It phosphorylates AMPA, making it more stable and adding more AMPA receptors to the surface of the cell, thereby increasing the synaptic efficacy / synaptic weight. It is a very important molecules that has complex dynamics!

Question 3

Mutations in CAMK2 can cause ________

Answer 3

Intellectual disabilities