Lecture 3: Learning and Memory

Question 1

What are the other 3 names for procedural memory?

Answer 1

1. Implicit memory
2. Non-declaractive
3. Reflexive memory

Question 2

What is procedural memory?

Answer 2

Skills and habits that have been used so much they are automatic

Question 3

What are the 2 anatomic substrates for Procedural memory and function of each?

Answer 3

1. Cerebellum - motor skills
2. Nucleus accumbens - non-motor

Question 4

What is declarative (aka explicit) memory?

Answer 4

The conscious recognition/recollection of learned facts and experiences

Question 5

Declarative (aka explicit) memory is subdivided into 2 forms, what are they and what is each used for?

Answer 5

1) Episodic = memory of events
2) Semantic = memory of words, language, and rules

Question 6

What are the conditions of Post-tetanic stimulation?

Answer 6

• Brief, high-frequency discharge of presynaptic neuron
• Produces increase in NT release that lasts about 60 seconds
• Increases probability of AP in post-synaptic cell

Question 7

What is the mechanism of Post-tetanic stimulation?

Answer 7

• High levels of stimulation allow more Ca²⁺ to enter terminal than could be “dealt” with
• More Ca2+ = more vesicles fuse
• Leading to greater NT release and greater probability of AP in post-synaptic cell

Question 8

What is defined as a series of changes in the pre- and post-synaptic neurons of a synapse which leads to increased response to the released NT?

Answer 8

Long-Term Potentiation

Question 9

Answering a test question is an example of what kind of memory?

Answer 9

Working memory

Question 10

What is the mechanism of Long-term potentiation (LTP)?

Answer 10

• Increased phosphorylation of AMPA receptors and insertion of additional AMPA receptors into post-synaptic membrane
• Eventually, activation of calcium-calmodulin-CREB mechanism

Question 11

__________ is the process by which labile memory is stabilized (making a memory permanent)

Answer 11

Consolidation

Question 12

Which changes are seen at the synapse for short term memory vs. long term memory?

Answer 12

• Short term memory: associated with more synaptic chemical changes
• Long term memory: associated with more structural changes

Question 13

During retrieval of a memory where in the brain is the full memory reconstructed?

Answer 13

Hippocampus

Question 14

Which part of the brain brings all the components from the cortical memories into working memory before sending this information to the hippocampus?

Answer 14

Parahippocampal gyrus

Question 15

Consolidating a memory from short- to long-term requires which 4 areas of the brain?

Answer 15

1. Hippocampus
2. Temporal lobes
3. Papez circuit
4. Cingulate cortex

Question 16

Which area of the brain is important in prolonging the life of the cortical “trace” of a memory as we continually recall and then restore that memory?

Answer 16

Parahippocampus

Question 17

The phonological loop of working memory involves which areas?

Answer 17

Wernicke’s and Brocas area (verbal information)

Question 18

The visuospatial loop of working memory involves which area of the brain?

Answer 18

Occipital cortex

Question 19

The central executive of working memory requires which area of the brain?

Answer 19

Prefrontal cortex

Question 20

Unlike other long-term memories, a detailed memory of space is stored where?

Utilizing which cells?

Answer 20

• Hippocampus
• Special pyramidal cells in CA1 known as place cells

Question 21

Where are Grid cells located and what is their function?

Answer 21

• Entorhinal cortex
• Work in conjunction with place cells
• Spacing and orientation between fields and a reference point

Question 22

What is believed to act as an ‘anchor’ to the entire memory?

Answer 22

Spatial memory utilizing place cells (hippocampus) and grid cells (entorhinal cortex)

Question 23

Hearing a French speaker and later noticing French food more often wherever you go is an example of implicit or explicit memory?

Answer 23

Implicit

Question 24

What are the 3 components of working (short-term) memory?

Answer 24

1. Phonological loop
2. Visuospatial loop
3. Central executive

Question 25

Long-term non-declarative memproes are widely stored where?

Answer 25

Sites related to motor behavior

Question 26

Describe the mechanism during LTP that causes an increase Na+ influx in response to future ligand binding.

Answer 26

• Calcium enters the post-synaptic cell via NMDA channels and binds to calmodulin
• Increase in AC –> Increase in cAMP –> Phosphorylation of AMPA receptor
• Phosphorylated AMPA remains open allowing more Na+ to enter post-synaptic cell

Question 27

Describe the mechanism during LTP that causes an increase NT release from the pre-synaptic cell.

Answer 27

• Calcium enters the NMDA receptor and binds to calcineurin
• Increases NOS –> produces NO which diffuses to pre-synaptic cell and increases cGMP
• Leads to an increased NT release from the pre-synaptic cell

Question 28

Where are the Place cells located and what do they respond to?

Answer 28

• Located in hippocampus
• Fire when in a specific place, not just while in a room; respond even stronger when in a specific place in a room where a reward occurred