L5 - Learning and Memory

Question 1

The primary motor and primary somatosensory cortex sit either side of what and send and receive information from the what side of the brain?

Answer 1

Sit either side of the central sulcus and send/receive information from the contralateral side.

Question 2

What is Brodmann’s area 3a important for?

Answer 2

Proprioception

Question 3

What is Brodmann’s area 3b important for?

Answer 3

Cutaneous input and our sense of touch

Question 4

What does Brodmann’s area 1 receive input from and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 4

Receives input from Brodmann’s area 3b and defines texture.

Question 5

Where does Brodmann’s area 2 receive input from what is its purpose?

Answer 5

Receives input mostly from area 3b and defines shape and size.

Question 6

What is stereognosis?

Answer 6

Identifying objects based solely on how they feel

Question 7

What is the term that describes the mental perception of 3D objects, enabling the identification of solid objects solely based on how they feel?

Answer 7

Stereognosis/Haptic perception

Question 8

What is haptic perception?

Answer 8

Identifying objects based solely on how they feel

Question 9

What does PPC stand for?

Answer 9

Posterior parietal cortex

Question 10

Which Brodmann’s area is the PPC in?

Answer 10

area 5

Question 11

What is the function of the PPC?

Answer 11

Integrates information from different areas. Grasping and interacting with objects. Passes information between motor and sensory cortices

Question 12

What is the secondary somatosensory cortex?

Answer 12

Brodmann area 40 which receives input from the PPC and S1. It has capacity for stereognosis/haptic perception.

Question 13

What happens to the S1 map if someone lost an arm/had it amputated?

Answer 13

The map would re-organise based on altered use.

Question 14

Define non-associative learning.

Answer 14

A relatively permanent change in the strength of a response to a single stimulus due to repeated exposure to that stimulus.

Question 15

Define associative learning

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What is relational learning?

Answer 16

Learning relationships and declarative statements

Question 17

In what ways might the strength of a synapse be increased from the pre-synapse?

Answer 17

• Increased vesicle volume
• Increased availability of vesicles
• Increased release probability

Question 18

In what ways might the strength of a synapse be increased from the synaptic cleft?

Answer 18

• Reduce re-uptake mechanisms

- Reduce gap dimensions

Question 19

In what ways might the strength of a synapse be increased from the post-synapse?

Answer 19

Increase receptor density/area

Question 20

What is the synaptic mechanism behind habituation?

Answer 20

Synaptic depression - down-regulation of synapse

Question 21

What is the synaptic mechanism behind sensitisation?

Answer 21

Synaptic facilitation, up-regulation of synapse.

Question 22

Where is the typical location that synapses are regulated?

Answer 22

Pre synaptic

Question 23

What are 3 reasons that sensory re-mapping might occur?

Answer 23

• Gradual changes after training involving specific body parts
• Denervation caused by amputation
• Blocking of peripheral nerves, or thalamic lesions

Question 24

How does sensory re-mapping manifest in neuronal networks?

Answer 24

• Long term changes in functional connectivity

- Branching/pruning of dendritic connections

Question 25

What does LTP stand for?

Answer 25

Long term potentiation

Question 26

What does LTD stand for?

Answer 26

Long term depression

Question 27

What is LTP?

Answer 27

Activity-dependent persistent strengthening of synapses leading to a long-lasting increase in signal transmission between two neurons.

Question 28

What is LTD?

Answer 28

Activity-dependent persistent reduction in the efficacy of neuronal synapses, leading to a long-lasting decrease in signal transmission between two neurons.

Question 29

Describe how non-associative LTP works.

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Describe how associative LTP works.

Answer 30

Stimulation of weak and strong synapses to a given neuron strengthens the weak one.

Question 31

Describe the role of NMDA in associative LTP.

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

What is required for the magnesium ion in NMDA receptors to be dislodged?

Answer 32

Firing in the pre and post-synaptic neuron. (high enough membrane potential)

Question 33

What are the 3 requirements for LTP to occur?

Answer 33

• 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.

Question 34

What does BDNF stand for?

Answer 34

Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor

Question 35

What is BDNF important for and why/how?

Answer 35

LTP induction through neurogenesis. BDNF increases one’s ability to grow new neurons from neural stem cells.

Question 36

Is LTD dependent on NMDA mechanisms/receptors?

Answer 36

No

Question 37

Non-associative learning is generally considered to make what type of changes in S1?

Answer 37

Short term

Question 38

Associative learning is generally considered to make what type of change in S1?

Answer 38

Long term