7 - Learning and Memory Flashcards
What are the two forms of long-term memory?
Declarative (explicit): memories that can be consciously declared and information that is explicitly stored and retrieved
Non-declarative (implicit): it’s acquired and used unconsciously
What are the brain structures involved in emotional memory processing?
Hypothalamus: primitive emotional responses (fighting, feeding, fleeing, fornication)
Frontal cortex: highest cognitive functions, ie control over emotions
What is the interplay between the hypothalamus and the frontal cortex in terms of emotional memory procesing?
The hypothalamus can inhibit the frontal lobe when it’s more important for primitive emotional responses then higher cognitive functions.
The opposite is also true, the frontal lobe can play an inhibitory role on the hypothalamus.
What is the function of the frontal cortex? How long does this take to develop?
Judgement, decision making, morality, compassion, and responsibility.
Delayed and slow development: >20 years to full maturity
What region of the brain is involved in the production and appreciation of art (beauty) as an emotion?
The prefrontal cortex.
Other than the frontal cortex and hypothalamus, what other brain structures are involved in emotional memory processing?
Amygdala : functions in the storage of emotional memories
Hippocampus: storage of emotional memories - activated and inhibited by emotionality
Where is the amygdala located in relation to the hippocampus?
What is hippocampal function necessary to remember? What is it highly susceptible to?
Necessary for us to remember the details of our lives.
Hippocampal functioning is highly susceptible to disruption by stress
What is synaptic plasticity and how does it work? What does this result in?
The ability of synapses to chance their strength.
Depolarization leads to Mg+ plug leaving, allowing Ca2+ to come in. Once calcium is in, it can activated CaMKII leading to increased AMPA and potentiation or Calcineuron leading to less AMPA and Long-term Depression (LTD).
What are the two phases of long term potentiation? What is each phase associated with?
Phase 1: Induction (learning)
Phase 2: Maintenance (memory)
*LTP does not EQUATE with learning and memory, but as of right now it is the best cellular correlate we have for learning and memory
What characteristics make long-term potentiation (LTP) a good model for learning and memory?
Generated through changes in synaptic funciton
Operates in a network of neurons
Pathway specific
Different forms with varying durations
What are three ways to study learning and memory?
- Behavioral level
- Cellular level
- Molecular level
How do you study learning and memory at a behavioral level?
You can use animals such as mice and put them in a certain scenraio and then do it again later to see if they learned and remember what to do in a similar scenario.
What is the difference between long term potentiation and long term depression?
LTP: Depolarization leads to Mg+ plug leaving, allowing Ca2+ to come in. Once calcium is in, it can activated CaMKII leading to increased AMPA and LTP.
LTD: Depolarization leads to Mg+ plug leaving, allowing Ca2+ to come in. Once Ca2+ is in, it can activate Calcineuron leading to less AMPA and Long-term Depression (LTD).
Where are cognition and emotion localized?
In different brain structures.
