Exp-Dep Plasticity

Question 1

What is Experience Dependent Plasticity?

Answer 1

It is the change in already formed circuits to adopt living in the world
Not related to developmental plasticity nor change due to disease.

Question 2

What is critical period?

Answer 2

Window of time when certain plasticity is formed depending on the skill
Supported in vision, imprinting, dentate gyrus, vestibular & auditory

Question 3

What is the example of critical period in the auditory system?

Answer 3

A son bird who heard his dad sing at the critical period will know how to sing and perfect it when he is older.

Question 4

How can we study exp-dep plast?

Answer 4

By water maze! The measurement will be the latency to find the platform or (if it is a trial where platform is removed,) the time spent in the correct area.

Question 5

How did Morris et al conclude that LTP is important in memory?

Answer 5

Rats with NMDAR blocker, which impaired LTP, had their spatial memory disrupted. Their short term memory was unaffected.

Question 6

What is the role of NMDAR in CA3?

Answer 6

Not for initial learning but for pattern completion.

Question 7

What are the four phases of memory

Answer 7

Induction
Consolidation
Storage
Retrieval

Question 8

Is hippocampus the storage site of spatial memories?

Answer 8

Yes, hippocampus is important for encoding and retrieval Riedel et al, 1999

Question 9

What is cortical plasticity?

Answer 9

the behavioural paradigm for explaining strengthening of horizontal cortical connection

Question 10

What is tuning?

Answer 10

Adaptation of the sensory inputs; it can happen in colour, frequency, location etc