Lecture 8 -- Learning Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is neuroplasticity?
changes in the structure and function of synapses in the brain
Who speculated that synaptic alterations could be the basis of learning?
Charles Sherrington in 1897.
What types of synaptic changes may store information?
Presynaptic
What structural changes may occur with long-term memory formation?
Formation of new synapses
How can synaptic reorganization occur due to training?
A more active neural pathway can take over synaptic sites from a less active competitor
What are the three housing conditions used in rat enrichment studies?
Impoverished Condition (IC)
- Rats are housed individually in standard cages with no enrichment.
Standard Condition (SC)
- Rats are housed in small groups in standard cages.
Enriched Condition (EC)
- Rats are housed in large social groups in enriched cages with toys and learning opportunities.
Name one anatomical change seen in EC rats.
A thicker cortex
What neural activity increases in EC rats?
Enhanced cholinergic activity across the cortex.
What happens to dendrites in EC rats?
More dendritic branches and spines are observed on cortical neurons.
How does enrichment affect synapse size in EC rats?
EC rats develop larger cortical synapses.
How does enrichment affect hippocampal neurons in EC rats?
More neurons survive in the hippocampus due to longer lifespan of new neurons.
What recovery benefit is seen in EC rats?
Enhanced recovery from brain damage.
Why study invertebrates like Aplysia for learning research?
Their simple nervous systems allow detailed
What is habituation?
A form of nonassociative learning where repeated exposure to a benign stimulus leads to a decreased response.
What causes short-term habituation in Aplysia?”
A decrease in neurotransmitter release at the synapse between the sensory and motor neuron.
What causes long-term habituation in Aplysia?
A reduction in the number of synapses between the sensory neuron and motor neuron.
What did Aplysia research reveal about synaptic plasticity?
Learning can weaken existing synapses or reduce their number over time.
What is classical conditioning of the eye-blink reflex in rabbits?
A rabbit learns to blink (CR) in response to a tone (CS) after repeated pairings with a puff of air (US) to the eye.
Which cranial nerve detects the air puff in the eye-blink reflex?
Which brain region mediates the conditioned eye-blink response?
The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V).
Which brain region mediates the conditioned eye-blink response?
The cerebellum.
How does the cerebellum contribute to conditioning?”
“It helps form the association between a conditioned stimulus and motor response.
List ways changes in neural function and structure could encode memories.
Changes in neurotransmitter release
Receptor sensitivity
Number
Synapse formation/loss
Pathway reorganization.
What is the main takeaway from environmental enrichment studies
Experience can significantly reshape brain structure
