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Eric Kandel: Synaptic Changes in the Hippocampus

Eric Kandel: Synaptic Changes in the Hippocampus. Johnia Murray Imani Ross IB Psychology II 1A. Background Info. Kandel was a pioneer in moving the study of the mind from an investigation of behavior to an investigation of impulses

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Eric Kandel: Synaptic Changes in the Hippocampus

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  1. Eric Kandel: Synaptic Changes in the Hippocampus Johnia Murray Imani Ross IB Psychology II 1A

  2. Background Info • Kandel was a pioneer in moving the study of the mind from an investigation of behavior to an investigation of impulses • Deals with learning and memory in the hippocampus of the brain • Memories don’t reside in a single, specific spot of the brain • Neural (neurons->synapses->impulses) change occurs between the synapses

  3. What is this?

  4. Synapses • Sites at the end of a neuron • Place where nerve cells communicate with one another • Use neurotransmitters as messages to each other

  5. Getting Down to Specifics. . . • 1982 Experiment • Eric Kandel and James Schwartz • Observing changes in sending neurons • Used a California sea snail, the Aplysia

  6. Aplysia Study • A California Sea Snail • Observed changes in sending neurons • Has 20,000+ unusually large nerve cells • Classically conditioned (Ch. 8 from last year) the snail to withdraw its gills when water is squirted at it • Learning occurs • Snail releases serotonin at certain synapses • Becomes more efficient at transmitting signals

  7. Aplysia Study cont’d • NOVAscienceNOW – A Memorable Snail - PBS • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLa-cXg8BwM

  8. Synapses and Memory • Increased synaptic efficiency makes for a more efficient neural circuit • Sending neurons now need less imprinting to release neurotransmitters • The receiving neuron receptor cites may increase • Long Term Potentiation • a long-lasting strengthening of the response of a postsynaptic nerve cell to stimulation across the synapse that occurs with repeated stimulation and is thought to be related to learning and long-term memory

  9. Synapses and Memory cont’d • LTP provides a neural basis for learning and remembering associations (reference to Ch.8) • Drugs that block LTP, interfere with learning • At least 40 cognitive enhancers are currently in some phase of development or clinical trial • Target market: those with Alzheimer’s Disease, with mild cognitive impairment

  10. Hippocampus: Where is it located?

  11. Hippocampus • Where initial events must come here in order to be turned from short term to long term memory • Short term memory is processed in the hippocampus • Neurons have to cross over the synapses to leave a mark or ‘tag’ • Declarative Memory • A memory for fact and events • People, places and objects

  12. Hippocampus cont’d • Contains a cognitive map of external environment • Registers spatial information • Space surrounding you (or animals) • Registers single sensory modality • Sight, sound, touch or pain

  13. In short. . . • Synaptic changes affect our learning ability and memory • Memories are stored in different places • A lot of work is done in the hippocampus • Don’t do drugs • Snails are more than just slimy creatures that look nasty • There’s still a lot to be discovered about the brain

  14. Reference List • Myers, David G. (2006) Psychology (AP Edition). :Macmillan – Worth Publishers. • Mayford, Mark; Siegelbaum, Steven A; Kandel, Eric R. (2012) Synapses and memory storage. CSH Perspectives in Biology, 4(6). Retrieved from http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/4/6/a005751.full

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