Synaptic plasticity and cognition

Question 1

Define learning?

Answer 1

The process of acquiring information

Question 2

Define memory?

Answer 2

The persistence of learning.

Question 3

Name the two sections of memory?

Answer 3

Storage and retrieval

Question 4

Name the forms of long term memory?

Answer 4

Procedural and declarative.

Question 5

Name the two memories that are in the declarative section?

Answer 5

Semantic and episodic

Question 6

What system is the hippocampus apart of?

Answer 6

The limbic system

Question 7

What is the role of hippocampus?

Answer 7

Plays an important roles in consolidation of information from Short term to long term memory and spatial navigation

Question 8

What sections of the brain are important in retrieval of memory?

Answer 8

Hippocampus

Question 9

What sections of the brain are important in encoding of memory?

Answer 9

Hippocampus and other brain regions

Question 10

Define synaptic plasticity?

Answer 10

Persistent upregulation or downregulation of synaptic strength

Question 11

Define long-term potentiation (LTP)?

Answer 11

Persistent increase in synaptic plasticity following HFS

Question 12

Define long-term depression (LTD)?

Answer 12

Persistent decrease in synaptic plasticity

Question 13

Name the 4 processes that plasticity occurs?

Answer 13

1. Neuronal development
2. Learning and memory
3. Ageing
4. Response to trauma/disease

Question 14

Define in vivo?

Answer 14

Taking place in the living organism

Question 15

Define in vitro?

Answer 15

Taking place in the test tube.

Question 16

Name the three properties of LTP?

Answer 16

Specificity.
Cooperativity
Associativity

Question 17

Define specificity characteristic of the LTP?

Answer 17

Specific to the tetanized pathways. Non-tetanized input are not potentiated.

Question 18

Define cooperativity characteristic of LTP?

Answer 18

LTP exhibits an intensity threshold. A strong stimulus can induce LTP- a weak cannot

Question 19

Define associativity characteristic of LTP?

Answer 19

A weak input will be able to potentiate if a strong convergent input is activated at the same time

Question 20

What induces LTP?

Answer 20

Patterned stimulation

Question 21

Name the four types of stimulation?

Answer 21

Tetanic- robust but unphysiological.
Theta burst- more physiological.
Primed burst.
Realistic stimulation protocol

Question 22

What induces LTD?

Answer 22

Other patterned stimuli.

Question 23

Name the four phases of LTP induction?

Answer 23

1. Post-tetanic potentiation.
2. Early LTP
3. Intermediate LTP
4. Late LTP

Question 24

Define long term depression?

Answer 24

Reversal of LTP.

Gives LTP a low freq chain

Question 25

Describe the 3 stages of LTP induction?

Answer 25

1. Action potential of the presynaptic. Causes calcium influx. 2. This calcium stimulates vesicle binding to membrane. Causes neurotransmitter release. 3. These neurotransmitters bind to postsynaptic receptor. Causes an AP in the postsynaptic cell

Question 26

Name the three types of glutamate receptor?

Answer 26

1. AMPA 2. NMDA 3. mGlu

Question 27

Which glutamate receptor is cationic?

Answer 27

AMPA and NMDA.

Question 28

Which glutamate receptor is ionotropic?

Answer 28

mGlu

Question 29

Which receptor induces the majority of excitatory response in the brain?

Answer 29

AMPA

Question 30

Define coincidence detection?

Answer 30

If there is a synaptic connection between A and B cell. If you consistently stimulate A- there will be a change and the efficiency between the cells increase.

Question 31

What two conditions must be met for NMDAR-mediated response?

Answer 31

1. Presynaptic activity to release glutamate. | 2. A strong depolarisation to relieve the magnesium block of NMDAR

Question 32

What receptor does magnesium block?

Answer 32

NMDAR

Question 33

What receptor triggers LTP?

Answer 33

NMDA as it is highly permeable to calcium

Question 34

How are NMDARs activated by LFS?

Answer 34

Single stimulus evokes an EPSP mediated by glutamate acting on AMPARs. GABAergic interneurones are also activated Leading to biphasic IPSP. NMDAR contribute little

Question 35

What happens during a tetanic stimulus?

Answer 35

Neurons are maintained in a depolarisation state- removes mg block from NMDAR. Glutamate promotes NMDAR opening.

Question 36

What receptors reduces gaba inhibition during hfs?

Answer 36

GABAB autoreceptors

Question 37

What happens when NMDAR is blocked?

Answer 37

Block LTP and spatial learning.

Question 38

SPM hypothesis?

Answer 38

Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is induced at the appropriate synapses during memory formation.

Question 39

Name the 7 types of NMDA receptor?

Answer 39

GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B, GluN2C, GluN2D, GluN3A, GluN3B

Question 40

Name the 4 types of AMPA receptor?

Answer 40

GluA1, GluA2, GluA3, GluA4

Question 41

Name the 5 types of Kainate receptor?

Answer 41

GluK1, GluK2, GluK3, GluK4, GluK5

Question 42

Define synaptic plasticity bidirectional characteristic?

Answer 42

It can either be LTP (increase receptor number) or LTD (lower receptor number)

Question 43

NMDAR must contain one of what subunit?

Answer 43

NR1

Question 44

NMDAR must contain one or more what subunit?

Answer 44

NR2 subunit. | NR2A/B/C/D

Question 45

NMDAR does not require but can have what subunit?

Answer 45

NR3

Question 46

Which types of NR2 subunit is predominately in the hippocampus?

Answer 46

NR2A and NR2B

Question 47

Which subunit is highly expressed in early development?

Answer 47

NR2A