The Biology of Learning and Memory

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to the biology of learning and memory, incorporating terminology and findings from the lecture.

What is classical conditioning?

A learning process that occurs when a conditioned stimulus (CS) is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to elicit a conditioned response.

What is instrumental conditioning?

A type of learning where behavior is followed by a reinforcer (which increases future responses) or a punishment (which suppresses the frequency of a response).

What is an engram?

The physical representation of learning in the brain.

What principle did Karl Lashley propose regarding the cortex?

Equipotentiality: All parts of the cortex contribute equally to complex behaviors like learning.

What is mass action according to Lashley's findings?

The cortex works as a whole, and the more cortex, the better the performance of complex tasks.

Where did Richard F. Thompson locate an engram?

In the cerebellum.

What is the lateral interpositus nucleus (LIP)?

An area essential for learning; damage here leads to permanent loss of conditioned responses.

Define short-term memory.

Memory of events that have just occurred, typically holding no more than seven items.

Define long-term memory.

Memory of events from the past that is vast and can be difficult to estimate.

What is the primary difference between short-term and long-term memory?

Short-term memory is limited and depends on rehearsal, whereas long-term memory is vast and does not necessarily require rehearsal.

What happens to short-term memories when they are forgotten?

They are lost; long-term memories can sometimes be reconstructed with hints.

What is consolidation in memory terms?

The process by which short-term memories stabilize into long-term memories.

How does emotional significance affect memory consolidation?

Emotionally significant memories tend to form quickly and are enhanced by moderate amounts of cortisol.

What is working memory?

The temporary storage of memories regarding a task that a person is currently attending to.

What is a delayed response task?

A memory task where a subject is required to recall a learned response after a delay.

How does damage to the prefrontal cortex affect memory?

It impairs performance on working memory tasks.

What is amnesia?

Memory loss, particularly associated with damage to the hippocampus.

Who was Patient H.M., and what significance does he have in amnesia research?

Patient H.M. had his hippocampus removed and experienced severe anterograde amnesia while retaining intact short-term memory.

What are anterograde and retrograde amnesia?

Anterograde amnesia is the loss of long-term memories for events after brain damage; retrograde amnesia is the loss of memories for events before the damage.

What type of memory remained intact for Patient H.M.?

His short-term memory and working memory remained intact.

What is procedural memory?

A type of implicit memory involving the development of motor skills and habits.

How did H.M. perform when acquiring new skills?

He could acquire new skills without difficulty despite severe anterograde amnesia.

What role does the hippocampus play in memory?

It is critical for forming declarative memories, especially episodic memory.

What is a delayed matching-to-sample task?

A task to measure declarative memory in animals where they must choose an object that matches a previously seen sample.

What role do hippocampal neurons play in spatial memory?

Certain hippocampal neurons are tuned to specific spatial locations.

What is the Morris Water Maze used for?

A procedure testing spatial memory in animals, assessing how well they locate a hidden platform.

What is Korsakoff's Syndrome?

A brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, leading to memory impairment and confabulation.

What is confabulation?

The act of fabricating false memories without the intention to deceive, common in Korsakoff's syndrome.

What are common symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Short-term and long-term memory loss, confusion, restlessness, hallucinations, and sleep disturbances.

How does Alzheimer’s disease affect different types of memory?

Better procedural than declarative memory, and better implicit than explicit memory.

What is implicit memory?

Memory that influences behavior without conscious awareness.

How do the basal ganglia contribute to learning?

They are responsible for implicit learning or habit learning, which develops over time.

How can chronic alcohol use relate to memory disorders?

It can lead to thiamine deficiency, causing Korsakoff's syndrome and memory impairments.

What is the Hebbian synapse?

A synapse that increases in effectiveness due to simultaneous activity in the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.

Define habituation in the context of Aplysia research.

A decrease in response to a repeated stimulus without any change, indicating a synaptic change.

What is sensitization in Aplysia?

An increased response to a mild stimulus after exposure to an intense stimulus.

What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?

An increase in synaptic responsiveness due to repeated stimulation.

What did the studies of LTP reveal about memory?

LTP is tied to learning and the potential cellular basis of forming memories.

What is the difference between specificity and cooperativity in LTP?

Specificity means only activated synapses become strengthened; cooperativity indicates multiple axons stimulate LTP together.

What are the effects of calcium ions in LTP?

They induce gene expression that increases the future responsiveness of glutamate receptors.

What is the impact of BDNF on memory?

BDNF enhances and magnifies the effects of LTP and memory consolidation.

What pharmacological agents have been shown to enhance learning?

Stimulant drugs like caffeine and methylphenidate can enhance learning by increasing arousal.

What lesson can be drawn from research on patients with amnesia?

Memory is not uniformly lost; different types of memory depend on various brain regions.