Learning And Memory Flashcards
Procedural Memory
Implicit, non-declarative and reflexive memory
-riding a bike or driving a car
An atomic substrates:
-cerebellum (motor) and nucleus Accumbens
Declarative memory
Explicit memory
-conscious recollection of facts
Episodic vs semantic knowledge?
Episodic is memory of events while semantic is memory of words, language and rules
Types of memory
Short term-seconds to hours
Long term-years
Working-act of going back and recalling the fact
—subset of short term memory
Neuronal Plasticity
Alterations in CNS based on use
-more synapses and new branches of new cells
Post-tetanic Stimualtion
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
Long-Term Potentiation
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
Neuronal plasticity (CREB)
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)
How can learning and formation of new memories be blocked?
By blocking protein synthesis within neuronal plasticity pathway
Steps of Declarative Memories
- Encoding
- Storage of Info
- Consolidation
- Retrieval
Encoding Memories
Attending to new info, linking to preview memories as well
-emotion is important component
Storage of Information in Declarative Memories
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
Consolidation
Process of making a memory permanent
-involves physical changes in synaptic structure
Requires: Hippocampus, temporal lobes, and Papez Circuit
Papez Circuit
Hippocampus to hypothalamus to anterior thalamus to cingulate cortex back to hippocampus
Consolidating Memory from Short to Long Term memory
Memory is repeatedly sent through Papez Circuit to set up conditions for LTP
Eventually, Limbic system is not required to access memory
Long Term Memory Storage
Stored in area of cortex related to modality of individual components
-visual memory stored in visual cortex, etc.
Retrieval of Memory
Recalling or using the memory, bringing it back to working memory
Can either be modified or lost
Requires neocortex, parahippocampal regions, and hippocampus
Recalling/Retrieving Memory Process
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
Working Memory Components
Central Executive-pre-frontal cortex
Phonological Loop-Brocas and Wernickes
Visuospatial Loop-occipital cortex associated w vision
Spatial memory
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
How does LTP cause more excitation?
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
