Learning and memory Flashcards
Describe HM
Had medial temporal lobe removed for epilepsy. Had anterograde amnesia so couldn’t learn new things or make new declarative memories but could remember past
Which chemicals affect memory?
Noradrenalin and adrenaline
What is experimental evidence supporting noradrenalin and adrenaline affect memory?
Pictures remembered better when presented with exciting story, but advantage disappeared with a noradrenalin antagonist
What does growth of new synapses allow you to do? (3)
Combine previously unrelated info, respond to old stimuli in new way and re-route info to new pathways
How can a positive feedback loop be broken?
By using noradrenaline antagonists
What do action potentials either become? (2)
More frequent (excitation) or less frequent (inhibition)
How do changes become permanent? (2)
Increased neural activity and sustained activity which can cause synaptic growth and take over
What is the effect of increased transmission rate?
React more quickly to important changes in environment
Describe the effect of decreased transmission rate
More likely to ignore unimportant changes in the environment (lose them)
How is memory affected by amount of cortex?
More cortex removed = worse performance on memory tasks
What is associated with a lesion in v4?
Loss of colour perception and memory
What can be associated with a lesion in the right fusiform gyrus?
Impaired facial processing and loss of memory for faces
Function of parietal lobe is…
Sensori-motor integration, makes decisions about choices
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Motor control and planning
Function of the temporal lobe is…
Activates neurons
What is the role of the occipital lobe?
Vision - to connect specific neurons in lobes
Describe Korsakoff’s syndrome
Chronic alcoholism due to a thiamine deficit. Anterograde and retrograde amnesia so can’t learn new skills and unaware of coniditon
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Inability to forget. Flashbacks, concentration problems, depression, nightmares. Stress hormones play role
Describe the amygdala
Part of limbic system, crucial for emotion and memories. Direct contact to hypothalamus, gateway to ES. Can lead to positive feedback loop.
Describe the steps in PTSD (5)
Amygdala activated by stress, activates hypothalamus. Hypothalamus activates ES, ES releases adrenalin and noradrenalin. Adrenalin + noradrenalin improve memory of stress.
