Learning And Memory

Question 1

Procedural Memory

Answer 1

Implicit, non-declarative and reflexive memory
-riding a bike or driving a car

An atomic substrates:
-cerebellum (motor) and nucleus Accumbens

Question 2

Declarative memory

Answer 2

Explicit memory

-conscious recollection of facts

Question 3

Episodic vs semantic knowledge?

Answer 3

Episodic is memory of events while semantic is memory of words, language and rules

Question 4

Types of memory

Answer 4

Short term-seconds to hours

Long term-years

Working-act of going back and recalling the fact
—subset of short term memory

Question 5

Neuronal Plasticity

Answer 5

Alterations in CNS based on use

-more synapses and new branches of new cells

Question 6

Post-tetanic Stimualtion

Answer 6

Increased activity increases amount of calcium in pre-synaptic terminal increases NT release
-produces increase in NT release that lasts 60s
—increases probability of AP in post-synaptic cell

High level of stim allowed more calcium to enter to terminal than can be dealt with

Question 7

Long-Term Potentiation

Answer 7

Series of changes in pre- and post-synaptic neurons of a synapse which leads to increased response to released NT
—usually follows strong stimulation

Also associated w gene transcription related to increased CREB

Question 8

Neuronal plasticity (CREB)

Answer 8

Associated w gen transcription related to increased CREB
-in both pre- and post-synaptic transmission
—Produces: NT synthetic enzymes, NT receptors, and proteins for growth/synapse formation (permanent)

Question 9

How can learning and formation of new memories be blocked?

Answer 9

By blocking protein synthesis within neuronal plasticity pathway

Question 10

Steps of Declarative Memories

Answer 10

1. Encoding
2. Storage of Info
3. Consolidation
4. Retrieval

Question 11

Encoding Memories

Answer 11

Attending to new info, linking to preview memories as well

-emotion is important component

Question 12

Storage of Information in Declarative Memories

Answer 12

Retention of info over time
-due to hippocampus, parahippocampal cortex, prefrontal cortex
—also interconnections to neocortex and amygdala via nucleus basalis of meynert

TEMPORARY STOREHOUSE OF MEMORY

Question 13

Consolidation

Answer 13

Process of making a memory permanent
-involves physical changes in synaptic structure

Requires: Hippocampus, temporal lobes, and Papez Circuit

Question 14

Papez Circuit

Answer 14

Hippocampus to hypothalamus to anterior thalamus to cingulate cortex back to hippocampus

Question 15

Consolidating Memory from Short to Long Term memory

Answer 15

Memory is repeatedly sent through Papez Circuit to set up conditions for LTP

Eventually, Limbic system is not required to access memory

Question 16

Long Term Memory Storage

Answer 16

Stored in area of cortex related to modality of individual components
-visual memory stored in visual cortex, etc.

Question 17

Retrieval of Memory

Answer 17

Recalling or using the memory, bringing it back to working memory

Can either be modified or lost

Requires neocortex, parahippocampal regions, and hippocampus

Question 18

Recalling/Retrieving Memory Process

Answer 18

Info sent to parahippocampal region
-from here, components sent to hippocampus and entire memory is reconstructed

Info then travels back to parahippocampus to the cortex

Question 19

Working Memory Components

Answer 19

Central Executive-pre-frontal cortex

Phonological Loop-Brocas and Wernickes

Visuospatial Loop-occipital cortex associated w vision

Question 20

Spatial memory

Answer 20

Detailed memory of space stored in hippocampus, using special pyramidal cells in CA1 known as Place Cells

Receive inputs from:

• Grid cells (in entorhinal cortex) that create a map of where you are
• head direction cells (which direction head)
• boarder neurons fire when near a wall

Question 21

How does LTP cause more excitation?

Answer 21

Post-synaptic cell: Causes phosphorylation of AMPA receptor, which causes more Na influx in response to EAA

On Pre-synaptic cell: production of NO causes increase in cGMP, which increases NT release