Learning and Memory

Question 1

What is an engram?

Answer 1

Change in the brain responsible for existence of memory

Question 2

What is Hebbian learning?

Answer 2

Persistent firing of a synapse will lead to an increase in the synaptic efficiency

Question 3

What is habituation?

Answer 3

Decrease in response to stimulus with repeated stimulation

Question 4

What is sensitisation?

Answer 4

Increase in response to stimulus with repeated stimulation

Question 5

What is Long Term Potentiation?

Answer 5

Repeated stimulation will result in a long-lived enhanced synaptic connection in a specific pathway

Question 6

What is Long Term Depression?

Answer 6

Low frequency stimulation over a long period of type will weaken the synaptic connection in a pathway

Question 7

What is working memory?

Answer 7

Maintenance and integration of info in an active state for a relatively brief time in order to achieve a short term task or goal

Question 8

What is declarative memory?

Answer 8

Memories you can say or write down

Conscious

Question 9

What are semantic memories?

Answer 9

Language, facts

Question 10

What are episodic memories?

Answer 10

Events, experiences

Question 11

What is non-declarative memory?

Answer 11

Subconcious memories

i.e. how to ride a bike

Question 12

What are the 4 stages of forming a memory?

Answer 12

Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
Consolidation

Question 13

What is the role of the hippocampus and cortex in memory formation?

Answer 13

• Events are encoded by hippocampus and reference is made to the memory location
• If this memory is recalled before consolidation, the hippocampus with retrieve this memory from it’s index
• After consolidation of the memory, retrieval can be initiated directly from the sensory cortex

Question 14

Describe a memory based approach to treatment of PTSD

Answer 14

Patient asked to re-live events leading to PTSD then given B-blocker which blocks re-consolidation of memory

Question 15

Where are declarative memories consolidated?

Answer 15

Medial temporal lobes

Question 16

What are the 4 changes that can occur at a synapse that will result in strengthening of the connection?

Answer 16

• Increase in receptors/ vesicles
• More than one synaptic zone formed with cleft separating
• Synaptic spine may divide into 2 synapses
• New dendritic spines may develop

Question 17

What is the role of the corpus striatum in memory formation?

Answer 17

Influences memories involving movement and procedural memory

Question 18

What is the role of the cerebellum in memory?

Answer 18

Influences fine motor learning including speech movements

Question 19

What is retrograde amnesia?

Answer 19

Loss of memories before accident

Question 20

What is anterograde amnesia?

Answer 20

Loss of ability to create new memories after event

Question 21

Damage to which areas of the diencephalon may cause anterograde amnesia?

Answer 21

Dorsomedial nuclei of the thalamus

Mammillary bodies

Question 22

Which area of the brain is involved in executive function?

Answer 22

Frontal cortex

Question 23

Damage to which structure in the brain may result in loss of ability to form non-declarative memories?

Answer 23

Corpus striatum (caudate nucleus + putamen)

Question 24

How can something be extended into working memory from short term memory?

Answer 24

Phonic loop

Chunking

Question 25

What is dissociative amnesia?

Answer 25

Amnesia occurring without any other deficits