Lecture 42: Learning and Memory Flashcards
Learning vs Memory and their combined effect
Learning = acquisition of new informatioin Memory = retention of new information
- together, enable us to modify behavior based on new information
Procedural Memory and storage sites (2)
- implicit/non-declarative/reflexive memory
- skills and habits that have been used so much they are AUTOMATIC
Nucleus Accumbens = non-motor skills storage
Cerebellum = motor skills storage
Declarative Memory and its 2 forms
- explicit memory
- conscious recognition/recollection of learned facts and experiences
Episodic = memory of events Semantic = memory of words, language, and rules
Spatial Memory and Emotional Memory
Spatial = mental map of a space
Emotional = memories w/very intense emotional component
Short-Term, Long-Term, and Working Memory
Short = seconds to hours; may or may not be permanent Long = years; permanent (capacity is UNLIMITED)
Working - recalling a fact/memory for use (may be subset of short-term memory)
Encoding (Declarative Memory)
- new info is attended to and linked to existing information
- strength of process determines how well material remembered
- pay attention, link it to established memories, be well motivated
Storage of Information (Declarative Memory)
- retaining the information over time (temporary storage of short-term memory)
- seems to be no limit to how much we can store
- WORKING MEMORY has finite capacity
Consolidation (Declarative Memory)
- process that makes a memory permanent (get it to long-term memory)
- physical structure of synapse is changed as a result
Retrieval (Declarative Memory)
- recalling stored info (subject to distortion –> having to reconstruct it [becomes PLASTIC again])
- dependent on the ENCODING PROCESS
Synaptic Plasticity
- alterations in synaptic function based on use
- change synaptic function or physical structure (more synapses or new branches to new cells)
Post-tetanic Potentiation
- brief, high-frequency stimulation
- produces inc. neurotrans release (60 sec long)
- inc. probability of action potentials in post-synaptic cell
Post-tetanic Potentiation Steps (4)
- inc. calcium influx from high-frequency stimulation
- overwhelms ability to remove Ca from terminal
- inc. docking/fusion of vesicles
- more neurotrans released into cleft
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)
- series of changes in pre- and postsynaptic neurons of a synapse which leads to inc. postsynaptic response to released neurotransmitter
- persists for hours after stimulus (at least 30 min or more)
- associated w/NMDA and metabotropic EAA receptors
- Also associated w/INCREASED CREB = link between synaptic functioning and neuron changes*
Long-Term Potentiation Post-Synaptic Change Steps (4)
- increased intracellular Calcium (NMDA receptors and store releases)
- increased calcium-calmodulin = inc. adenylyl cyclase
- increased cAMP = inc. Protein Kinase A activation
- increased AMPA receptor phosphorylation
- CAM-Kinase II also phosphorylates receptors
- increased ion uptake = inc. EPSP amplitude in response to release of neurotransmitter
Long-Term Potentiation Pre-Synaptic Change
- increased NOS activation via calcium influx produces increased NO lvls
- NO back into pre-synaptic terminal, increasing cGMP production = inc. neurotransmitter release with future action potentials
