Consolidation and Synaptic Plasticity Flashcards
(39 cards)
what are the three stages of visual memory?
immediate memory, STM, and LTM
how is memory able to become consolidated?
if it follows the process of acquisition, STM, LTM
what happens if there is a rapid decay of STM?
this can lead to insufficient retrieval and recall
what are the two types of memory systems within the brain?
declarative and non-declarative
declarative memory
consists of explicit facts and events that we are consciously aware of
non-declarative memory
consists of implicit skills and habits, classical conditioning, priming, and non-associative learning
what is one of the main mechanisms of memory consolidation?
de novo protein synthesis creates memories
what is the role of RNA?
RNA aids in the synthesis of proteins.
when RNA is impaired by toxins introduced into the amygdala, it does not impact STM but impairs LTM
what does antisense technology do?
blocks the translation of RNA and the subsequent synthesis of proteins
what are NMDA receptors required for?
learning and memory acquisition
what is the connection between NMDA and arc?
NMDA receptors lead to the synthesis of the protein arc
in areas of the brain where learning takes place, there is a higher amount of arc protein
evidence of other proteins being important for memory consolidation
protein BDNF was expressed differently in epilepsy, which has links to memory deficits
by remediating BDNF expression, memory deficits in epilepsy can be improved
why is it important to only consolidate ‘acquired’ and important memories?
because learning and memory are extremely energy intensive
what does the slow integration of memory consolidation into the LTM allow for?
more selectivity and categorisation of memories, to make them more easily remembered
what did hebb propose?
the idea of synaptic plasticity and ‘neurones that wire together, fire together’
what was historically believed about the function of synapses?
to transfer information across neurones
what does the dynamic process of synaptic plasticity allow?
individuals to change and acquire new functions, particularly in relation to behaviour, learning, and memory
what is synaptic plasticity?
alteration in the strength of a synapse
what is synaptic strength?
how likely it is that a postsynaptic neurone will be activated by the same level of presynaptic input
how have neurobiological developments found evidence of synaptic plasticity?
they can change strength due to different activity between pathways
this is central to understanding learning and memory
what is important for processing in the brain?
the transfer of information across a network
by linking neurones together in a particular configuration, memories are able to be stored
what are the different types of neurones?
excitatory or inhbitory
excitatory neurones
activate the next neurone
inhibitory neurones
deactivate the next neurone
