exam 3 Flashcards
(33 cards)
Who was H.M., and what did his case reveal about memory
H.M. had his hippocampus removed to treat epilepsy, resulting in severe memory loss. This demonstrated the role of the hippocampus in forming new memories
What is the difference between anterograde and retrograde amnesia?
Anterograde amnesia: Inability to form new memories after injury.
Retrograde amnesia: Inability to access memories from before injury.
What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?
Required for forming new declarative memories; damage impairs consolidation and retrieval.
What are declarative and nondeclarative memories?
Declarative memory: Facts, people, events (“what” memory).
Nondeclarative memory: Skills, procedures, emotions (“how” memory).
Which brain areas are associated with declarative and procedural memory?
Declarative memory: Hippocampus.
Procedural memory: Striatum.
What is working memory, and what brain area manages it?
Temporary information storage while in use; managed by the prefrontal cortex
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)
Strengthening of synaptic connections due to repeated activation, following the Hebb rule.
How does LTP occur at the cellular level?
AMPA: Opens sodium channels.
NMDA: Allows calcium entry after magnesium block is removed.
Calcium: Activates αCaMKII, strengthening the synapse.
How does neurogenesis relate to learning?
The hippocampus generates new neurons throughout life, supporting new learning.
What role does sleep play in memory?
During sleep, the hippocampus transfers information to the cortex, consolidating memories.
What are plaques and tangles in Alzheimer’s disease?
Plaques: Clumps of beta-amyloid protein interfering with neural signals.
Tangles: Abnormal tau protein accumulations inside neurons, causing cell death.
Which genes are linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease?
APP, Presenilin 1, Presenilin 2, and APOE ε4.
What are current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease?
Cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate antagonists.
Treatments slow progression but do not cure the disease.
What is the reserve hypothesis?
Greater cognitive reserve compensates for brain aging, reducing dementia risk
What causes Korsakoff syndrome, and what are the symptoms?
Caused by chronic alcoholism and thiamine (B1) deficiency.
Symptoms: Anterograde amnesia, confabulation, and mammillary body damage.
How is brain size related to intelligence?
Brain size (relative to body size) is somewhat correlated with intelligence.
What is a theory of mind, and how does it relate to autism?
The ability to infer others’ thoughts based on experience; often lacking in individuals with ASD.
What brain anomalies are linked to autism?
- Issues in the brain stem, cerebellum, and temporal lobes.
- Poor amygdala-prefrontal cortex coordination.
- Decreased white matter causing unsynchronized activity.
What environmental factors increase the risk of ASD?
Traffic pollution and maternal metabolic conditions (e.g., obesity, diabetes).
What are the main symptoms of ADHD?
Impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity.
Which brain regions are smaller in individuals with ADHD?
Prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, and caudate nucleus.
What role do genetics play in ADHD?
- 83% concordance in identical twins.
- Genes involved in dopamine pathways and neural development.
What environmental factors contribute to ADHD?
Brain injury, pregnancy complications, and lead exposure.
What percentage of U.S. adults live with a diagnosable mental illness, and what percentage will experience one in their lifetime?
20% live with a diagnosable mental illness; 46% will experience one in their lifetime.
