Consolidation and Synaptic Plasticity

Question 1

what are the three stages of visual memory?

Answer 1

immediate memory, STM, and LTM

Question 2

how is memory able to become consolidated?

Answer 2

if it follows the process of acquisition, STM, LTM

Question 3

what happens if there is a rapid decay of STM?

Answer 3

this can lead to insufficient retrieval and recall

Question 4

what are the two types of memory systems within the brain?

Answer 4

declarative and non-declarative

Question 5

declarative memory

Answer 5

consists of explicit facts and events that we are consciously aware of

Question 6

non-declarative memory

Answer 6

consists of implicit skills and habits, classical conditioning, priming, and non-associative learning

Question 7

what is one of the main mechanisms of memory consolidation?

Answer 7

de novo protein synthesis creates memories

Question 8

what is the role of RNA?

Answer 8

RNA aids in the synthesis of proteins.

when RNA is impaired by toxins introduced into the amygdala, it does not impact STM but impairs LTM

Question 9

what does antisense technology do?

Answer 9

blocks the translation of RNA and the subsequent synthesis of proteins

Question 10

what are NMDA receptors required for?

Answer 10

learning and memory acquisition

Question 11

what is the connection between NMDA and arc?

Answer 11

NMDA receptors lead to the synthesis of the protein arc

in areas of the brain where learning takes place, there is a higher amount of arc protein

Question 12

evidence of other proteins being important for memory consolidation

Answer 12

protein BDNF was expressed differently in epilepsy, which has links to memory deficits

by remediating BDNF expression, memory deficits in epilepsy can be improved

Question 13

why is it important to only consolidate ‘acquired’ and important memories?

Answer 13

because learning and memory are extremely energy intensive

Question 14

what does the slow integration of memory consolidation into the LTM allow for?

Answer 14

more selectivity and categorisation of memories, to make them more easily remembered

Question 15

what did hebb propose?

Answer 15

the idea of synaptic plasticity and ‘neurones that wire together, fire together’

Question 16

what was historically believed about the function of synapses?

Answer 16

to transfer information across neurones

Question 17

what does the dynamic process of synaptic plasticity allow?

Answer 17

individuals to change and acquire new functions, particularly in relation to behaviour, learning, and memory

Question 18

what is synaptic plasticity?

Answer 18

alteration in the strength of a synapse

Question 19

what is synaptic strength?

Answer 19

how likely it is that a postsynaptic neurone will be activated by the same level of presynaptic input

Question 20

how have neurobiological developments found evidence of synaptic plasticity?

Answer 20

they can change strength due to different activity between pathways

this is central to understanding learning and memory

Question 21

what is important for processing in the brain?

Answer 21

the transfer of information across a network

by linking neurones together in a particular configuration, memories are able to be stored

Question 22

what are the different types of neurones?

Answer 22

excitatory or inhbitory

Question 23

excitatory neurones

Answer 23

activate the next neurone

Question 24

inhibitory neurones

Answer 24

deactivate the next neurone

Question 25

what is long-term potentiation?

Answer 25

a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength, e.g., a baby laughing more when being tickled

Question 26

LTP- what happens when pathways are repeatedly stimulated?

Answer 26

the EPSP (excitatory postsynaptic potential) is strengthened, which is useful for storing memory

Question 27

what looks similar to the distinction between STM and LTM?

Answer 27

early long-term potentiation (E-LTP) AND late long-term potentiation (L-LTP)

Question 28

what are the two types of LTP?

Answer 28

non-associative LTP and associative LTP

Question 29

non-associative LTP

Answer 29

stimulates neurones, and this intense stimulation strengthens the connection

results in a greater output

Question 30

associative LTP

Answer 30

this occurs when there is both high intense and normal stimulation from two inputs

results in strengthening the synapse and input

Question 31

what is the difference between L-LTP and E-LTP?

Answer 31

L-LTP requires protein synthesis, whereas E-LTP does not

this shows the importance of protein synthesis in consolidating long-term memories

Question 32

connection between NMDA and LTP

Answer 32

NMDA receptors block E-LTP and L-LTP in the same way as STM and LTM

Question 33

where can be LTP be induced?

Answer 33

in the amygdala

LTP requires protein synthesis and NMDA receptors

Question 34

evidence of similar mechanisms between LTP and memory consolidation

Answer 34

LTP stimulation in the amygdala upregulated the expression of arc in the amygdala

caused higher activity of memory and learning

Question 35

evidence of fear conditoning within mice

Answer 35

mice had the brain effect of being presented with a ‘foot shock, resulting in synaptic plasticity and LTP at the synapse

artificially wiring neurones together can construct fake memories

Question 36

what is LTD?

Answer 36

a long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength, e.g., baby laughing less after being tickled

Question 37

where is LTD found?

Answer 37

most commonly observed in the cerebellum, meaning it may underlie motor learning

Question 38

difference between LTP and LTD

Answer 38

high-frequency intense stimulation leads to an increased response to stimulation
vs
low-frequency stimulation leads to a decreased response to test stimulation

Question 39

can LTP and LTD coexist in the same brain areas?

Answer 39

yes, and they can lead to increased responding

decreasing inhibition levels will result in higher activity