Chapter 9: The Biology of Chapter 9: The Biology of Learning and MemoryLearning and Memory

Basic History of Learning & Basic History of Learning & MemoryMemory

There are 3 people I want you to There are 3 people I want you to know:know:

1.1. PavolvPavolv

2.2. SkinnerSkinner

3.3. LashleyLashley

Pavlov & the MuttsPavlov & the Mutts1.1. He was originally interested in the He was originally interested in the

physiology of digestionphysiology of digestion Started noticing that animals Started noticing that animals

experienced ‘psychic salivation’experienced ‘psychic salivation’

2.2. From this observation came his most From this observation came his most famous contribution to science: famous contribution to science: classical conditioningclassical conditioning

Conditioning Conditioning SimplifiedSimplified The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is the The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is the

thing that evokes the unconditioned thing that evokes the unconditioned response (UCR)response (UCR)

UCS = foodUCS = food UCR = is the natural response the animal UCR = is the natural response the animal

has to the food = droolinghas to the food = drooling

Pairing the conditioned stimulus (CS) and Pairing the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the drooling (UCR)the drooling (UCR)

CS = toneCS = tone Tone + droolingTone + drooling

The The changechange of the UCR to the conditioned of the UCR to the conditioned response(CR) = animal drools in response to response(CR) = animal drools in response to the tonethe tone

Skinner: Reinforcement & Skinner: Reinforcement & PunishmentPunishment

1.1. Have you run across his name Have you run across his name before?before?

2.2. He believed learning occurred as a He believed learning occurred as a result of an organism receiving result of an organism receiving reinforcing or punishing stimulireinforcing or punishing stimuli

Positive reinforcementPositive reinforcement Negative reinforcementNegative reinforcement PunishmentPunishment

Lashley: Brilliant Lashley: Brilliant FailureFailure

1.1. Search for the ENGRAM.Search for the ENGRAM.

2.2. Focused on the cortexFocused on the cortex

How many types of memory How many types of memory are there?are there?

It depends on how you are thinking It depends on how you are thinking about memory.about memory.

1.1. Short vs. Long term memoryShort vs. Long term memory

2.2. Declarative vs. Procedural memoryDeclarative vs. Procedural memory

3.3. Implicit vs. Explicit memoryImplicit vs. Explicit memory

Short and Long Term Short and Long Term MemoryMemory

1.1. Short-term is used for information Short-term is used for information that has just occurredthat has just occurred

2.2. Long-term is used to retain Long-term is used to retain information over longer periods of information over longer periods of timetime

3.3. RehearsalRehearsal

Modification: Working Modification: Working memorymemory1.1. Short-term memory was once Short-term memory was once

thought as a holding pen for thought as a holding pen for information information

2.2. This is really memory that requires This is really memory that requires attention or ‘work’attention or ‘work’

3.3. Delayed responseDelayed response

Declarative & Procedural Declarative & Procedural memorymemory

1.1. Declarative memory is the ability to Declarative memory is the ability to use words to demonstrate a use words to demonstrate a memorymemory

2.2. Procedural memory is ‘physical skill’ Procedural memory is ‘physical skill’ memorymemory

Implicit vs. Explicit Implicit vs. Explicit memorymemory

1.1. Explicit memory is memory that you Explicit memory is memory that you KNOW you have and can recall KNOW you have and can recall whenever you wantwhenever you want

2.2. Implicit memory is when Implicit memory is when information influences your information influences your behavior, with out you being aware behavior, with out you being aware of it.of it.

Brain Areas Important for Brain Areas Important for L & ML & M

1.1. Remember Lashley’s failed search Remember Lashley’s failed search for the engram?for the engram?

CerebellumCerebellum But cortex IS importantBut cortex IS important

2.2. The other big ‘name’ in L & M is the The other big ‘name’ in L & M is the hippocampus.hippocampus.

Hippocampus and Hippocampus and MemoryMemory What types of memory is the What types of memory is the hippocampus involved in? hippocampus involved in?

We’re not entirely sure, but We’re not entirely sure, but research shows:research shows:

1.1. Declarative memoryDeclarative memory

2.2. Spatial memorySpatial memory

3.3. Configural learningConfigural learning

Learning & SlugsLearning & Slugs1.1. Cellular mechanisms of learning are Cellular mechanisms of learning are

studied using animals with simple studied using animals with simple nervous systemsnervous systems

2.2. Aplysia Aplysia SlugsSlugs Their nervous systems are all the sameTheir nervous systems are all the same Easy to observe learning in reflexive Easy to observe learning in reflexive

actionaction

Habituation and Habituation and SensitizationSensitization

1.1. What do you think these are? What do you think these are? HabituationHabituation Sensitization is the opposite…Sensitization is the opposite…

2.2. In In AplysiaAplysia, you can see habituation , you can see habituation to a touch stimulusto a touch stimulus

What about us?What about us?

1.1. In humans we call lasting changes In humans we call lasting changes in the synapse in the synapse long-term long-term potentiation potentiation (LTP)(LTP)

Activity burst & senstitizationActivity burst & senstitization

Properties of LTPProperties of LTP1.1. SpecificitySpecificity

2.2. CooperativityCooperativity

3.3. AssociativtyAssociativty

Neurotransmitters & Neurotransmitters & LTPLTP

1.1. LTP is dependent upon activity at LTP is dependent upon activity at glutamate receptorsglutamate receptors

2.2. There are two kinds of receptors There are two kinds of receptors that are important:that are important:

AMPAAMPA NMDANMDA

How does LTP relate to How does LTP relate to YOUR Experience?YOUR Experience?

1.1. We know that drugs that block LTP We know that drugs that block LTP prevent learning and delay or prevent learning and delay or prevent the consolidation processprevent the consolidation process

Learning DisabilitiesLearning Disabilities There are 4 general types of There are 4 general types of

learning disabilitieslearning disabilities What are some learning disabilities What are some learning disabilities

that you guys know about?that you guys know about?

AmnesiaAmnesia1.1. Amnesia – means memory loss. Amnesia – means memory loss.

There are two kinds:There are two kinds: Retrograde amnesiaRetrograde amnesia Anterograde amnesiaAnterograde amnesia

2.2. Damage to the hippocampus can Damage to the hippocampus can result in both kinds of amnesiaresult in both kinds of amnesia

The case of H.M.The case of H.M.1.1. H.M. was a patient suffering from H.M. was a patient suffering from

severe epilepsysevere epilepsy

2.2. His hippocampus was removed as His hippocampus was removed as treatmenttreatment

3.3. His memory was severely impaired, His memory was severely impaired, especially bad anterograde amnesiaespecially bad anterograde amnesia

4.4. His short-term/working memory & His short-term/working memory & procedural/implicit memory abilities procedural/implicit memory abilities are somewhat intactare somewhat intact

What H.M.’s Brain What H.M.’s Brain Looked LikeLooked Like

Korsakoff’s SyndromeKorsakoff’s Syndrome1.1. This syndrome results from This syndrome results from

prolonged and severe thiamine prolonged and severe thiamine (vitamin B(vitamin B11) deficiency ) deficiency

Usually the result of severe alcoholismUsually the result of severe alcoholism Causes brain damage in the Causes brain damage in the

hypothalamus and thalamus hypothalamus and thalamus can’t can’t get into and out of the prefrontal get into and out of the prefrontal cortexcortex

2.2. Results in both kinds of amnesia, Results in both kinds of amnesia, apathy, confusionapathy, confusion

3.3. Confabulation is a hallmark Confabulation is a hallmark symptomsymptom

Brain Damage from Brain Damage from AlcoholismAlcoholism

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s Disease1.1. Progressive memory loss with eventual Progressive memory loss with eventual

depression, hallucinations/delusions, depression, hallucinations/delusions, sleeplessness and loss of appetitesleeplessness and loss of appetite

2.2. Caused by generation of plaques and Caused by generation of plaques and tangles in the brain tangles in the brain

Plaques are build up Plaques are build up betweenbetween cells caused by cells caused by cell deathcell death

Tangles are caused by degradation of Tangles are caused by degradation of structures structures withinwithin a cell a cell

Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s BrainsBrains

Brain Damage or Brain Damage or ToxicityToxicity

1.1. Head trauma can cause mild or Head trauma can cause mild or severe, temporary or permanent severe, temporary or permanent memory lossmemory loss

2.2. Cell death can be caused by Cell death can be caused by exposure to chemicals as wellexposure to chemicals as well

Carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide poisoning