Learning and Memory Flashcards
What is Hebb’s theory on learning and memory?
learning is the response of the brain to environmental evens which involves adaptive changes in the synaptic connectivity; cells that fire together, wire together
What is temporal LTP?
summation of inputs reaches a stimulus threshold that leads to the induction of LTP
What is associative LTP?
simultaneous stimulation of a strong and weak pathway will induce LTP at both pathways
What was the Morris Water Maze Experiment?
rats were required to find a hidden platform in a water bath, spatial learning and memory was measured
What was concluded from the Morris Water Maze Experiment?
rats with hippocampal lesions were unable to learn where the platform was
What is the role of NMDA receptors in learning?
given an NMDA receptor antagonist prevents LTP and hence learning
What is specific LTP?
the LTP at one synapse is not propagated to adjacent synapses
What is LTP?
the mechanism underlying synaptic strengthening
How are EPSP’s increased?
phosphorylation of existing AMPA receptors increasing their effectiveness and stimulation of insertion of more AMPA receptors into membrane
What is early phase LTP?
lasts a minute to an hour, explained by the action of Ca2+ through NDMA receptor and consequent AMPA efficiency
What is late phase LTP?
lasts for hours, days or months, explained by protein synthesis creating new synapses and other morphological changes involving CREB
What is Long Term Depression?
low frequency stimulation causing a decrease in EPSP as AMPA receptors are dephosphorylated and removed from the membrane
What is the function of Theta rhythms?
to synchronise activity in different brain regions
What tasks involved Theta rhythms?
running, swimming, head movements and spatially oriented tasks
Where are Theta rhythms observed?
in the hippocampus
