Module 3, lecture 4

Question 1

What is the definition of memory?

Answer 1

Capacity to retain information about past experiences

Memory involves the ability to store and recall past experiences.

Question 2

What are the steps of memory processing?

Answer 2

Encoding (acquisition), storage, and retrieval

These steps describe how information is processed in the brain.

Question 3

What provides a substrate for memory processing?

Answer 3

Synaptic connectivity

Synaptic connections allow for the storage and retrieval of memories.

Question 4

What changes are required for memory storage and retrieval?

Answer 4

Changes in synapse efficacy

The effectiveness of synapses must change to form and access memories.

Question 5

What factors impact memory?

Answer 5

• Type and frequency of experience
• Context
• Emotion
• Perceived importance
• Motivation (VTA/reward system connections with hippocampus)

Each factor plays a significant role in how memories are formed and recalled.

Question 6

How does emotion affect memory recall?

Answer 6

Easier to recall when valence matches current state

For example, recalling positive experiences is easier when in a good mood.

Question 7

What are the two main types of memory?

Answer 7

• Working memory
• Long term memory

These types differ in duration and function.

Question 8

What is working memory?

Answer 8

Short term memory lasting seconds to minutes

It is primarily associated with the prefrontal cortex.

Question 9

What is long term memory?

Answer 9

Memory lasting hours or longer

It encompasses a broader range of information retention.

Question 10

What are the branches of long term memory?

Answer 10

• Declarative (hippocampus + parahippocampal cortex)
• Nondeclarative (basal ganglia, amygdala, cerebellum, premotor cortex, implicit memory)

These branches indicate different types of long-term memory storage.

Question 11

Where is declarative memory processed?

Answer 11

Hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex

Declarative memory involves facts and events.

Question 12

Where is nondeclarative memory processed?

Answer 12

• Basal ganglia
• Amygdala
• Cerebellum
• Premotor cortex

Nondeclarative memory includes skills and conditioned responses.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: Changes in _______ efficacy is required for memory storage and retrieval.

Answer 13

synapse

Synaptic changes are crucial for forming and accessing memories.

Question 14

True or False: Memory is only impacted by the type of experience.

Answer 14

False

Memory is influenced by various factors including context, emotion, and motivation.

Question 15

What are the two declarative branches of memory?

Answer 15

Episodic (events)
Semantic (facts)

Question 16

What type of learning is associated with nondeclarative memory?

Answer 16

(implicit)

Associative learning/conditional (classical -Pavlovian)
instrumental (operant)

Question 17

Name two types of associative learning within nondeclarative memory.

Answer 17

• Classical (Pavlovian)
• Instrumental (operant)

Question 18

What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?

Answer 18

Formation/acquisition and consolidation of declarative memories

Question 19

Which brain structures are involved in non-declarative memory?

Answer 19

• Amygdala
• Cerebellum
• Basal ganglia

Question 20

Where are memories stored in the brain?

Answer 20

Throughout the cerebral cortex

Question 21

What does the term ‘engram’ refer to?

Answer 21

Experience activates a population of neurons that undergo persistent changes in synaptic connectivity

Question 22

How does subsequent reactivation of an engram occur?

Answer 22

Induced via retrieval cue

Question 23

In the context of memory retrieval, what is contextual fear conditioning?

Answer 23

Neurons that form part of the engram are recruited during learning and store the fear memory

Question 24

Fill in the blank: The _______ is primarily responsible for the acquisition of declarative memories.

Answer 24

hippocampus

Question 25

True or False: Memories are only stored in the hippocampus.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

What type of information is processed in the visual cortex?

Answer 26

Image information

Question 27

What happens during the recall test in contextual fear conditioning?

Answer 27

Specific neurons activated during the learning period are reactivated

Question 28

What is Pavlovian conditioning?

Answer 28

A form of associative learning where conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US) signals converge on the same neurons

Question 29

What is an engram?

Answer 29

A group of neurons that represent a memory trace or memory encoding

Question 30

How do neurons respond in associative learning?

Answer 30

Neurons encoding CS and US begin to respond together over time

Question 31

What allows the brain to link two stimuli in associative memory?

Answer 31

Overlap in neuronal populations

Question 32

What happens to neurons during training in Pavlovian conditioning?

Answer 32

Cells co-activated during training should also be activated during testing

Question 33

True or False: Control mice show a high degree of overlap in neuronal encoding of CS and US.

Answer 33

False

Question 34

What is the role of highly active cells during the training period?

Answer 34

They are recruited to the engram for memory encoding

Question 35

Fill in the blank: Neurons with increased relative excitability at the time of training __________.

Answer 35

win

Question 36

List the four characteristics of engrams.

Answer 36

* Persistent * Ecphory * Content/Experience-specific * Dormant

Question 37

What does persistent mean in the context of engrams?

Answer 37

A persistent change in the brain resulting from a specific experience or event

Question 38

What is ecphory in relation to engrams?

Answer 38

The expression of engrams behaviorally through retrieval cues ex: tone during pavlovian conditioning (retrieval phase)

Question 39

How does content/experience-specific characteristic affect engrams?

Answer 39

It reflects what transpired at encoding and predicts what can be recovered

Question 40

What does dormant mean concerning engrams?

Answer 40

Engrams may exist in a dormant state between encoding and retrieval processes

Question 41

What may support distinct aspects of an experience in engram cell ensembles?

Answer 41

Different brain regions ## Footnote Engram cell ensembles are thought to involve various brain areas that contribute to different elements of a memory.

Question 42

What is an example of how neurons can form a single engram?

Answer 42

Memory has visual, auditory, emotional effects ## Footnote This indicates that multiple sensory inputs can be integrated into a unified memory representation.

Question 43

How is an engram encoded at the population level?

Answer 43

Sparsely encoded ## Footnote This means that not all neurons are active during the formation of a memory, leading to a selective representation.

Question 44

What is recruited at the cell level in an engram?

Answer 44

Specific dendritic spines ## Footnote Dendritic spines are small protrusions on neurons where synapses form, crucial for memory encoding.

Question 45

What type of changes occur at the synapse level due to experience?

Answer 45

Experience-induced synaptic changes ## Footnote These changes are essential for modifying synaptic strength, which is important for memory formation.

Question 46

What type of changes occur at the nucleus level due to experience?

Answer 46

Experience-induced epigenetic changes ## Footnote These changes can affect gene expression and influence long-term memory storage.

Question 47

Are memory and synaptic plasticity activity-dependent?

Answer 47

True ## Footnote Both processes require neuronal activity to occur effectively.

Question 48

What receptor function is necessary for the encoding of many types of memory?

Answer 48

NMDA receptor function ## Footnote NMDA receptors play a critical role in synaptic plasticity and memory formation.

Question 49

What do memory consolidation and LTP/LTD have in common?

Answer 49

Late, protein synthesis-dependent phase ## Footnote This phase is crucial for stabilizing memories and synaptic changes over time.

Question 50

Are synaptic plasticity processes such as LTP and LTD synapse-specific and memory-specific?

Answer 50

True ## Footnote This specificity ensures that changes are tailored to particular memories and synaptic connections.

Question 51

How does a stronger memory engage synapses between engram cells?

Answer 51

Engages a greater number of synapses ## Footnote Stronger memories involve more extensive neuronal networks and connections.

Question 52

what is persistence as a engram characteristic?

Answer 52

persistent change in the brain that results from a specific experience or event (strengthening of synapses/connections during acquisition and consolidation stages)

Question 53

what is Content/Experience-specific as an engram characteristic?

Answer 53

reflects what transpired at encoding and predicts what can be recovered (experience 1 is encoded by different engram with diff cells than experience 2)