Learning and Memory

Question 1

What is learning?

Answer 1

Learning = response of the brain to environmental events + involves adaptive changes in synaptic connectivity = alter bhvr

Hebb (1949) = how through neuronal networks, brain can process + store info - ‘cells that fire together, wire together’

Strengthening + weakening synaptic connection in brain = learning occurs + memories formed

Question 2

First time we meet grandma example: what happens?

Answer 2

Cell A = sensory input for sight of Grandma
Cell B = sensory input for smell of perfume
- Assocd. together
- If repeatedly = synapses on hippocampal neuron is strengthened
- indvdl inputs = strong to fire the hippocampal neuron + recall a memory

Question 3

First time we meet grandma example: what happens if the indvdl input isn’t strong enough?

Answer 3

Failed to stimulate hippocampal neuron = low rate of responding

Excitatory Post Synaptic Potential (EPSP) = not great enough to fire an action potential

Question 4

Where does association learning and memory take place?

Answer 4

Hippocampus = carried across species (rats similarity)

Question 5

What do rats show about the hippocampus?

Answer 5

Long term potentiation (LTP) = mechanism underlying synaptic strengthening

Hippocampus = shape + anatomy means pathways can be easily distinguished + records from electrophysiologically

LTP = studied most in other brain areas

high freq. electrical stimulation (HFS) of the perforant pathway. Can stimulation a part, then record + see how this changes in the future.

1 HFS- LTP = lasts hours
Multiple HFS -LTP = lasts days/ months

Question 6

How do we record electrical activity?