Neuroplasticity

Question 1

use it or lose it

Answer 1

failure to drive specific brain functions can lead to functional degradation

Question 2

use it and improve it

Answer 2

training that drives specific brain function can lead to enhancement of that function

Question 3

Specificity

Answer 3

the nature of training experience dictates the nature of plasticity

Question 4

Repetition Matters

Answer 4

induction of plasticity requires sufficient repetitions

Question 5

intensity matters

Answer 5

induction of plasticity requires sufficient training intensity

Question 6

time matters

Answer 6

different forms of plasticity occur at different times during training

Question 7

salience matters

Answer 7

the training experience must be sufficiently salient (be important) to induce plasticity

Question 8

Age matters

Answer 8

training-induced plasticity occurs more readily in younger brains

Question 9

transference

Answer 9

plasticity in response to one training experience can enhance the acquisition of similar behaviors

Question 10

interferences

Answer 10

plasticity in response to one experience can interfere with acquisition of other behaviors

Question 11

plasticity occurrences in nervous system

Answer 11

• neurodevelopment (childhood)
• learning (adult)
• recovering from injury

Question 12

two forms of long-term memory

Answer 12

explicit and implicit

Question 13

explicit

Answer 13

facts and events

Question 14

implicit

Answer 14

emotional response, skeletal musculature, and cerebellum.

Question 15

what happens to Non-declarative learning an individual with severe deficits in declarative learning

Answer 15

• can’t make any new memories
• ability to improve on simple motor task
• looking into mirror trying to draw star (backwards)

Question 16

neuroplasticity

Answer 16

ability for nervous system to change and adapt

Question 17

Neuroplasticity changes in physiology

Answer 17

changes in nerve threshold, conduction velocity, and synpatic efficiency

Question 18

Neuroplasticity in anatomical morphology

Answer 18

changes in structure & connectivity

Question 19

Neuroplasticity changes in behavior

Answer 19

learning or recovery of function

Question 20

Measuring Neuroplasticity: Synaptic efficiency

Answer 20

• pre & post synaptic changes (changes type and number of receptos)
• long term potentiation

Question 21

Measuring Neuroplasticity: neuronal morphology

Answer 21

increase in dendritic spines post learning

Question 22

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Answer 22

Use of magnetic filed to track neuronal activity

Question 23

Position emission tomography (PET)

Answer 23

Radioisotopes used to track metabolic activity

Question 24

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Answer 24

Tracking oxygenated blood flow in the brain

Question 25

changes in neural activity in fMR =

Answer 25

changes in blood flow

Question 26

development of plasticity

Answer 26

- genesis of neurons - genesis of connections - elimination of cells and synapses - activity-dependent synaptic rearrangement

Question 27

activity dependent synaptic rearrangement

Answer 27

- synaptic segregation - synaptic convergence - synaptic competition - modulatory influences

Question 28

synaptic segregation

Answer 28

critical period synaptic stabilization neurons firing together to strengthen function

Question 29

synaptic convergence

Answer 29

critical period visual environment influences development

Question 30

synaptic competition

Answer 30

mechanism inputs compete for synaptic control of postsynaptic neuron

Question 31

modulatory influences

Answer 31

mechanism presence of neuromodulators may promote synaptic alterations (seratonin)

Question 32

Apoptosis

Answer 32

cell death that is genetically programmed competition for trophic factors

Question 33

trophic factors

Answer 33

life sustaining nerve growth factor

Question 34

what happens when there is a loss of synapses

Answer 34

Ach is release but does not connect to postsynaptic receptor & the neuron will die

Question 35

Differences between developmental and adult plasticity

Answer 35

During development --> global and dramatic changes In adulthood ---> changes in synaptic strength

Question 36

global and dramatic changes that occur during development

Answer 36

Changes in projections and connectivity Structural changes Rapid changes at critical periods

Question 37

changes in synaptic strength that occur during adulthood

Answer 37

Cell death Dendrite arborization Synaptic rearrangement

Question 38

Shared Mechanisms Between Development and Adult Learning

Answer 38

*competition for synaptic sites In development = survival of connection In adults = strengthens the synapses

Question 39

Rules of Synaptic Plasticity when presynaptic axon is active & at the same time the postsynaptic neuron is strongly activated under the influences of other inputs

Answer 39

the synapse for presynaptic axon is strengthened Neurons that fire together wire together

Question 40

Rules of Synaptic Plasticity when the presynaptic axon is active & at the same the postsynaptic neuron is weakly activated by other inputs

Answer 40

the synapse is weakness Neurons that fire out of sync lose their link

Question 41

Hebbian learning

Answer 41

"when you see a rose, you can smell it" two stimuli activated at the same time - likely to remember

Question 42

synaptogenesis

Answer 42

growth of new synapse connections

Question 43

Long Term Synaptic Potentiation (LTP)

Answer 43

increase postsynaptic response & long lasting increase over time

Question 44

molecular changes related to Long Term Synaptic Potentiation (LTP)

Answer 44

- phosphorylation of proteins - increase in postsynaptic AMPA receptors - NMDA mediated - AMPA upregulation

Question 45

Long term depression in cerebellum (LTD)

Answer 45

Cerebellum is a comparator in motor control ``` simple = kinesthetic information complex = error signals ```

Question 46

LTD vs LTP

Answer 46

NMDA trigger and Ca+ entry both LTD and LTP Block NMDA receptors and LTP cannot occur

Question 47

Motor Cortex Contribution to Procedural Learning (stages)

Answer 47

Early - decrease in reaction time / increase cortical maps Middle - recognize sequence is present Late - learns sequence - cortical maps back to baseline

Question 48

the shift of automatic stage of skill acquisition is associated with

Answer 48

reduction in cortical activity increase activation in subcortical centers

Question 49

Cortex Motor Learning

Answer 49

Increase synaptic efficiency between somatosensory and motor cortices Once learned, somatosensory cortex takes less role in activation of motor cortex

Question 50

memory engrams

Answer 50

Widely distributed group of neurons comprising of smaller functional groups * Neurons that fire together wire together * Neurons that fire out of sync lose their link