Synaptic Plasticity, Learning, and Memory Flashcards

Synaptic Plasticity

The capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury.

Plasticity

The ability to be altered, molded, or changed, specifically referring to the nervous system.

Long Term Potentiation (LTP)

A process where excitatory synapses are strengthened by increased activity, believed to be fundamental to learning and memory.

Long Term Depression (LTD)

An activity-dependent decrease in the efficacy of synapses, considered the opposite of Long Term Potentiation.

NMDA Receptor

A type of glutamate receptor that plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, particularly in Long Term Potentiation.

AMPA Receptor

A type of ionotropic glutamate receptor that mediates fast synaptic transmission and is involved in synaptic plasticity.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in the formation of long-term memories, particularly spatial memory, and is studied extensively in plasticity.

Schaffer Collaterals

The axons from CA3 pyramidal neurons that synapse onto CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus.

Dendritic Spine

A small protrusion on a dendrite where synapses form, crucial for synaptic plasticity and neuronal communication.

Activity-Dependent Plasticity

Plastic changes in synaptic strength occurring as a result of the level of neuronal activity.

Coincidence Detection

A process by which NMDA receptors detect the simultaneous activation of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.

Calcium (Ca²⁺) Ions

Crucial ions that enter the postsynaptic neuron through NMDA receptors and are essential for the induction of LTP.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A neuroimaging technique that measures and maps brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain for research or treatment.

Electrophysiology

A branch of physiology that studies the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues.

Limbic System

A set of brain structures that deal with emotions and memory, including the hippocampus and amygdala.

Plasticity Research

The scientific investigation into how neural networks in specific brain areas modify in response to learning, experience, or injury.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

A lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons after repeated stimulation.

Dendritic Spine Morphogenesis

The activity dependent formation, growth, and maturation of new dendritic spines.

AMPA Receptors

Receptors that are permeable to sodium ions and play a key role in synaptic transmission.

NMDA Receptors

Receptors that are permeable to sodium and calcium ions and are involved in synaptic plasticity.

Calcium Activated Kinases

Enzymes that are activated by calcium and play a role in the phosphorylation of receptor proteins.

Filopodium

A membranous protrusion that begins to grow towards an axon during dendritic spine formation.

Postsynaptic Density (PSD)

A specialization of the postsynaptic membrane which contains receptors and proteins essential for synaptic function.

Synaptic Pruning

The process of eliminating synapses that are not being used or are less active.

Input Specificity

The principle that only synapses receiving strong inputs will be strengthened during LTP.

Long-Term Depression (LTD)

A lasting decrease in synaptic strength that can occur due to prolonged low-frequency stimulation.

Kinases

A family of enzymes that phosphorylate other proteins, often activating them and influencing synaptic transmission.

Phosphatases

Enzymes that dephosphorylate proteins, often leading to a decrease in synaptic strength or activity.

Postsynaptic Partner

The cell that receives signals from the presynaptic neuron at the synapse.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter that binds to AMPA and NMDA receptors.

Schafer Collaterals

Axons from CA3 neurons that synapse onto CA1 pyramidal cells in the hippocampus.

Active Zone

The region of the presynaptic terminal where neurotransmitter release occurs.

Molecular Underpinnings

The biochemical processes and mechanisms that support synaptic changes associated with learning and memory.

Homeostatic Plasticity

The ability of neurons to stabilize their activity in response to changes in synaptic strength.

Synaptic Plasticity

The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to increases or decreases in their activity.

NMDA Receptors

Type of glutamate receptor that is a coincidence sensor and is permeable to calcium.

AMPA Receptors

Type of glutamate receptor that mediates fast synaptic transmission and is not permeable to calcium.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

An enduring increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation of a synapse.

Tetanic Stimulation

A brief burst of high-frequency stimulation that induces LTP by creating large amounts of glutamate release.

Postsynaptic Excitatory Potential (EPSP)

The change in membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron following the binding of neurotransmitters to its receptors.

Coincidence Sensor

Refers to the property of NMDA receptors, requiring both presynaptic activity (glutamate release) and postsynaptic depolarization to activate.

Calcium Signaling

The increase of intracellular calcium concentration which plays a crucial role in initiating cellular responses, such as LTP.

Kinases

Enzymes activated by calcium that phosphorylate proteins, influencing cellular activity and synaptic plasticity.

Excitotoxicity

Cellular damage and death caused by excessive stimulation of neurons, often due to elevated calcium levels.

Learning

The acquisition of new information.

Memory

The retention of acquired information over time.

Habituation

A decrease in strength of a behavioral response to repeated mild stimuli.

Sensitization

An increase in behavioral response to a strong or noxious stimulus.

Declarative Memory

Also known as explicit memory; memories of facts and events that require conscious recall.

Non-declarative Memory

Also known as implicit memory; includes skills and habits that do not require conscious recall.

Hippocampus

A key brain structure involved in the consolidation of declarative memories.

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to form new memories after a trauma.

Retrograde Amnesia

Inability to recall memories formed before a trauma.

Aplysia californica

A marine snail used in studies of habituation and memory.

Long-term Memory

Memory that can last for days, weeks, or even a lifetime.

Short-term Memory

Memory that lasts for a short duration, often seconds to minutes.

Consolidation

The process of transferring information from short-term to long-term memory.

Episodic Memory

A type of declarative memory related to personal experiences and specific events.

Procedural Memory

Memory for skills and actions, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Calcium Channels

Ion channels that play a crucial role in neuronal signaling and synaptic plasticity.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in emotional processing and also plays a role in memory.

Working Memory

A form of short-term memory that is temporarily used for reasoning and comprehension.