Classical Conditioning Neural Mechanisms

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to classical conditioning neural mechanisms, anatomy, and electrophysiology as outlined in the lecture notes.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that creates an association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and motor learning, critical for classical conditioning of motor reflexes.

Purkinje Cells

Large neurons in the cerebellar cortex that play a crucial role in motor control and inhibition of interpositus nuclei.

Interpositus Nucleus

A deep cerebellar nucleus involved in motor reflex conditioning; its firing patterns are correlated with learned responses.

Climbing Fibers

Fibers that carry inputs from the inferior olive to Purkinje cells, providing strong excitatory synapses.

Electrophysiology

The study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues, which enables understanding of firing patterns in neurons.

Manipulation

Interventions performed to analyze and affect classical conditioning processes, such as lesioning or stimulating specific areas.

Long-term Depression (LTD)

A persistent decrease in synaptic strength that occurs due to low-frequency stimulation, important for learning and memory.

Cerebellar Cortex

The layer of the cerebellum that contains Purkinje cells and is essential for processing input in motor control.

Lesion

A method of manipulating brain regions to study functional importance, often used in classical conditioning studies.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter crucial for balancing excitation and inhibition in the brain.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

An originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.