L5 - Learning and Memory Flashcards
The primary motor and primary somatosensory cortex sit either side of what and send and receive information from the what side of the brain?
Sit either side of the central sulcus and send/receive information from the contralateral side.
What is Brodmann’s area 3a important for?
Proprioception
What is Brodmann’s area 3b important for?
Cutaneous input and our sense of touch
What does Brodmann’s area 1 receive input from and what is it’s purpose?
Receives input from Brodmann’s area 3b and defines texture.
Where does Brodmann’s area 2 receive input from what is its purpose?
Receives input mostly from area 3b and defines shape and size.
What is stereognosis?
Identifying objects based solely on how they feel
What is the term that describes the mental perception of 3D objects, enabling the identification of solid objects solely based on how they feel?
Stereognosis/Haptic perception
What is haptic perception?
Identifying objects based solely on how they feel
What does PPC stand for?
Posterior parietal cortex
Which Brodmann’s area is the PPC in?
area 5
What is the function of the PPC?
Integrates information from different areas. Grasping and interacting with objects. Passes information between motor and sensory cortices
What is the secondary somatosensory cortex?
Brodmann area 40 which receives input from the PPC and S1. It has capacity for stereognosis/haptic perception.
What happens to the S1 map if someone lost an arm/had it amputated?
The map would re-organise based on altered use.
Define non-associative learning.
A relatively permanent change in the strength of a response to a single stimulus due to repeated exposure to that stimulus.
Define associative learning
The process by which an association between two stimuli or a behaviour and a stimuli is learnt. (classical/Pavlovian conditioning)
Motor learning and operant conditioning are also types.
What is relational learning?
Learning relationships and declarative statements
In what ways might the strength of a synapse be increased from the pre-synapse?
- Increased vesicle volume
- Increased availability of vesicles
- Increased release probability
In what ways might the strength of a synapse be increased from the synaptic cleft?
- Reduce re-uptake mechanisms
- Reduce gap dimensions
In what ways might the strength of a synapse be increased from the post-synapse?
Increase receptor density/area
What is the synaptic mechanism behind habituation?
Synaptic depression - down-regulation of synapse
What is the synaptic mechanism behind sensitisation?
Synaptic facilitation, up-regulation of synapse.
Where is the typical location that synapses are regulated?
Pre synaptic
What are 3 reasons that sensory re-mapping might occur?
- Gradual changes after training involving specific body parts
- Denervation caused by amputation
- Blocking of peripheral nerves, or thalamic lesions
How does sensory re-mapping manifest in neuronal networks?
- Long term changes in functional connectivity
- Branching/pruning of dendritic connections
What does LTP stand for?
Long term potentiation
What does LTD stand for?
Long term depression
What is LTP?
Activity-dependent persistent strengthening of synapses leading to a long-lasting increase in signal transmission between two neurons.
What is LTD?
Activity-dependent persistent reduction in the efficacy of neuronal synapses, leading to a long-lasting decrease in signal transmission between two neurons.
Describe how non-associative LTP works.
A synapse between two neurons is stimulated intensely for a short period of time. This leads to the synapse becoming over-excited and continues to fire even when the stimulation stops. The synapse becomes stronger as a result.
Describe how associative LTP works.
Stimulation of weak and strong synapses to a given neuron strengthens the weak one.
Describe the role of NMDA in associative LTP.
When magnesium ions are dislodged in NMDA receptors, calcium ions flow through into the post-synaptic neuron. This leads to the long term increase in AMPA receptors, allowing more ions to flow through, increasing the strength of the synapse.
What is required for the magnesium ion in NMDA receptors to be dislodged?
Firing in the pre and post-synaptic neuron. (high enough membrane potential)
What are the 3 requirements for LTP to occur?
- Co-operation: simultaneous stimulation of a large number of axons
- Association: allows weak synapse to be strengthened.
- Synapse-specific: activation has to be in the correct pre and post-synaptic neuron for LTP to occur.
What does BDNF stand for?
Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor
What is BDNF important for and why/how?
LTP induction through neurogenesis. BDNF increases one’s ability to grow new neurons from neural stem cells.
Is LTD dependent on NMDA mechanisms/receptors?
No
Non-associative learning is generally considered to make what type of changes in S1?
Short term
Associative learning is generally considered to make what type of change in S1?
Long term
