Learning and memeory 233 test

Engram

Physical representation of memory in the brain, encoded by changes in the neuronal connections during learning

Declarative memory

Type of long-term memory that involves conscious recollection of facts and events, crucial for learning new information

LTM

A type of memory that stores information for an extended period, allowing for retention and learning

STM

Limited capacity memory store that holds info temporarily for learning and immediate use

Episodic memory

A type of declarative memory that involves remembering specific personal experiences.

Procedural memory

A type on long term memory for skills and habits which are crucial for learning and performing tasks automatically

Long term potentiation

Strengthening of synaptic connections, a key mec for learning and memory formation

Long term depression

Weaking in synaptic connections which plays a role in refining neural circuits during learning

Synaptic plasticity

The ability of synapses to change in strength, which is essential for learning

Hebbian synapses

Genetic variations in the ApoE gene that can influence an individual's risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, which affects learning and memory

Sensitization

An increased response to a stimulus after repeated exposure, a simple form of learning in both humans and animals. 

Habituation

The production of false or distorted memories, which can occur in individuals with memory impairments and affect their learning, common symptom in Korsakoff's syndrome

AMPA receptors

Programmed cell death, which is important for brain development and may play a role in synaptic pruning during learning

NMDA receptors

Unprogrammed cell death, which can occur due to injury or disease and may disrupt learning and memory processes in the brain

ApoE polymorphism

Synapses that strengthen when pre and post synaptic neurons fire simultaneously, key in learning and memory

Tau vs Amyloid beta proteins

Two proteins involved in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, which can impair learning and memory by disrupting neuronal function

Confabulation

A decreased response to a stimulus after repeated exposure, a simple form of learning that allows organisms to filter out irrelevant stimuli.

Apoptosis

Glutamate receptors mediate fast synaptic transmission and play a role in synaptic plasticity and learning

Necrosis

Crucial for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory formation, require both glutamate binding and post synaptic depolarization to activate

Korsakoff syndrome 

Extensive brain damage – caused by prolonged thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency  

Thymine is crucial in glucose metabolism  

Without glucose the neurons die or shrink 

Epigenetic changes due to alcohol use

After adolescent alcohol use → decreased level of proteins for cognitive functions → increased vulnerability for psychiatric disorders

Environment and intelligence

quality of feedback for a child has an impact on their development

effect of environment enrichment → lack of stimulation leads to cognitive impairment

Environmental enrichment

increases dendritic branching & synaptic density, increase in neurogenesis, increase in neurotransmitter levels and receptor expression, improvement in cognitive performance

people with damage to their hippocampus…

Have trouble forming new long term declarative memories especially episodic memories

Working memory

Stores information that one is currently using, the cortex stores a working memory by occasional bursts of high frequency oscillations that alternate among many cells

High cortisol levels associated with prolonged stress…

damage cells in the hippocampus thereby impairing memory

reinforcement

a reinforcer is any event that increases the future probability of the response

punishment

an event that supresses the frequency of the response

equipotentiality

all parts of the cortex contribute equally to complex behaviours such as learning and any part of the cortex can substitute for any other

mass action

the cortex works as a whole, and more cortex is better

lateral interpositus nucleus (LIP)

one nucleus of the cerebellum, essential for learning

Anterograde amnesia

inability to form memories for events that happened after brain damage

retrograde amnesia

loss of memory for events that occurred before brain damage

semantic memories

memories on factual information