lecture 15: synaptic plasticity

Question 1

how are memories stored in the brain

Answer 1

1. release of neurotransmitter
2. activation of postsynaptic receptors
3. trafficking of receptors to the PSD
4. local translation of new proteins
5. altered gene expression

Question 2

how do we study learning and memory at the molecular level

Answer 2

–> in vitro
molecular and cellular events
- cells in culture
- acute brain slices (hippocampal slices)
- organotypic brain slices
- others

Question 3

main components when studying learning and memory

Answer 3

1. Glutamate transporter (VGLUT)
2. SSV, synapsin
3. astrocytes (GFAP) = one of the main support cells, cells in the brain which are described as star shape
4. neurons (AMPA-GluA1, glutamate receptors) = really important in synaptic transmission

Question 4

what tissue do we use for culture to look into learning and memory

Answer 4

to create these we are using really young tissue, so the cells in the culture are young and are forming networks which might not be there in the intact brain

Question 5

organotypic brain slices

Answer 5

take slice of brain and instead of bathing it in cerebrospinal fluid, just let it be on a membrane, you can start to see more advanced, long term systems such as long term memory

Question 6

two main types of glutamate receptors in rapid changes (long term potentiation)

Answer 6

AMPA = form sodium channels that depolarise cells and allow for activation of NMDA
NMDA = blocked by magnesium, this is unblocked by calcium from AMPA, allows Ca to flow to the rest of the cell

Question 7

glutamate receptors

Answer 7

• ionotropic
• metabotropic

Question 8

ionotropic

Answer 8

form ion channels