Learning and Memory Flashcards
What is an engram?
Change in the brain responsible for existence of memory
What is Hebbian learning?
Persistent firing of a synapse will lead to an increase in the synaptic efficiency
What is habituation?
Decrease in response to stimulus with repeated stimulation
What is sensitisation?
Increase in response to stimulus with repeated stimulation
What is Long Term Potentiation?
Repeated stimulation will result in a long-lived enhanced synaptic connection in a specific pathway
What is Long Term Depression?
Low frequency stimulation over a long period of type will weaken the synaptic connection in a pathway
What is working memory?
Maintenance and integration of info in an active state for a relatively brief time in order to achieve a short term task or goal
What is declarative memory?
Memories you can say or write down
Conscious
What are semantic memories?
Language, facts
What are episodic memories?
Events, experiences
What is non-declarative memory?
Subconcious memories
i.e. how to ride a bike
What are the 4 stages of forming a memory?
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
Consolidation
What is the role of the hippocampus and cortex in memory formation?
- 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
Describe a memory based approach to treatment of PTSD
Patient asked to re-live events leading to PTSD then given B-blocker which blocks re-consolidation of memory
Where are declarative memories consolidated?
Medial temporal lobes
What are the 4 changes that can occur at a synapse that will result in strengthening of the connection?
- 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
What is the role of the corpus striatum in memory formation?
Influences memories involving movement and procedural memory
What is the role of the cerebellum in memory?
Influences fine motor learning including speech movements
What is retrograde amnesia?
Loss of memories before accident
What is anterograde amnesia?
Loss of ability to create new memories after event
Damage to which areas of the diencephalon may cause anterograde amnesia?
Dorsomedial nuclei of the thalamus
Mammillary bodies
Which area of the brain is involved in executive function?
Frontal cortex
Damage to which structure in the brain may result in loss of ability to form non-declarative memories?
Corpus striatum (caudate nucleus + putamen)
How can something be extended into working memory from short term memory?
Phonic loop
Chunking
What is dissociative amnesia?
Amnesia occurring without any other deficits
