Neurobiology of Bipolar Disorder and Learning & Memory

These flashcards cover key concepts in the neurobiology of bipolar disorder and the mechanisms of learning and memory as discussed in the lecture.

What are the two types of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar I disorder (full blown mania) and Bipolar II disorder (milder mania).

What are common symptoms of mania in bipolar disorder?

Sustained over-activity, talkativeness, grandiosity, increased energy.

What differentiates bipolar disorder from schizophrenia regarding primary features?

Mood, not psychosis, is the primary feature of bipolar disorder.

What is lithium used for in the treatment of bipolar disorder?

Lithium treats manic episodes, prevents relapses, and decreases depressive stages.

What are some side effects of lithium?

Increased urination, shakiness of hands, increased thirst, diarrhea, vomiting.

What is consolidation in the context of memory?

The process of putting memories into longer-term storage form.

What is the difference between declarative and nondeclarative memory?

Declarative memory refers to facts that can be verbally expressed, while nondeclarative memory includes skills demonstrated through actions.

What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?

The hippocampus is crucial for forming and consolidating declarative memories.

What does long-term potentiation (LTP) signify in the brain?

LTP is a stable and enduring increase in synaptic activity due to specific stimulation.

What is the significance of patient H.M. in memory research?

Patient H.M. had anterograde amnesia, highlighting distinct mechanisms for memory consolidation and storage.

What does the term 'engram' refer to in memory studies?

An engram is the physical trace of a memory in the brain.

What is the 'primacy vs. recency effect'?

These effects highlight different temporal stages of memory, where early items (primacy) or recent items (recency) are remembered differently.

What are place and response learning in memory?

Place learning relies on the hippocampus while response learning is managed by the striatum.

What is the theory behind 'cells that fire together wire together'?

This theory suggests that synaptic connections are strengthened when neurons are co-activated repeatedly.

What type of memory does Korsakoff’s syndrome impact?

Korsakoff's syndrome affects declarative memory, particularly the ability to recall past events.