Neuroplasticity Flashcards
What is neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity is the ability of neurons to change their function, chemical profile, or structure.
What are examples of neuroplasticity?
- Habituation
- Experience-dependent plasticity: learning and memory
- Nerve recovery from injury
What is habituation?
Habituation is a decrease in response to a repeated, benign stimulus.
It allows us to pay attention to important or novel stimulation while tuning out less important stimuli.
What are the types of habituation?
- Short-term (< 30 min): May involve changes in neurotransmitter release
- Long-term: May involve changes in postsynaptic receptor activity
Are the neural effects of habituation reversible?
Yes, the neural effects of habituation are reversible.
How is habituation used in therapy?
In therapy, habituation describes techniques intended to decrease the neural response to a stimulus.
For example, gently touching sensitive skin to reduce tactile defensiveness in children.
What is experience-dependent plasticity?
Experience-dependent plasticity involves the formation of new and stable synapses, and modification of existing synapses. Effects are persistent and long-lasting.
What processes occur in experience-dependent plasticity?
- Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)
- Long-Term Depression (LTD)
What receptors are involved in LTP and LTD?
- NMDA receptor
- AMPA receptor
What are the steps of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)?
- Glutamate binding to NMDA receptor allows Ca++ entry.
- Stored AMPA receptors are brought to the surface.
- Eventually, new dendritic spines form, and the presynaptic cell forms a new, stable synapse.
What happens during Long-Term Depression (LTD)?
During LTD, AMPA receptors are removed from the surface, making the membrane less likely to be depolarized when glutamate binds to the NMDA receptor.
What is the role of LTP and LTD in learning and memory?
The process of learning and memory involves the formation of new synapses and removal or remodeling of synapses as necessary.
Where do LTP and LTD occur?
LTP and LTD occur in neurons in the hippocampus and are considered possible mechanisms for memory formation. They also occur in motor, somatosensory, visual, auditory, and cerebellar cortices.
Why is experience-dependent plasticity important?
Experience-dependent plasticity is essential for neural recovery from injury.
Can plasticity have negative outcomes?
Yes, plasticity may sometimes have negative outcomes, such as involvement in some cases of chronic pain syndromes.
