The Learning Brain

Your brain is a physical organ that changes throughout life.

The ability of the brain to modify and adapt is calledbrain plasticity.

Pruning or Paring back

Overview

myelin

is a dielectric (electrically insulating) material that forms a layer, the myelin sheath, usually around only the axon of a neuron.

The main purpose of a myelin layer (or sheath) is to increase the speed at which impulses propagate along the myelinated fiber.

myelin safeguards the connections between neuronsand helps make memory stronger.

learning

Practice and rehearsal results in the brain creating more myelin.

Therefore…

Practice makes connections more stable, more automatic and faster.

short term memory

Short term memory is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in mind in an active, readily available state for a short period of time.

How short and how much can you remember???Let’s take a test.

Demonstration

Ready…………. 1, 2, 3

p k r s

m v e t y p a

j s u r k g j w o q h w

This is a Biology lesson about human memory and learning

pkrs (4 items, most people get them)

mvetypa ( 7 items, many people get them)

jsurkgjwoqhw (12 items, most people can’t get them all)

This is a Biology lesseon about human memory and learning (by chunking letters togetherwe can get all or most)

answers

Short term memory can hold information for a matter of secondsShort term capacity (without chunks, without rehearsal) can hold + /- 7 items

working memory

Working memory is a theoretical framework that refers to structures and processes used for temporarily storing and manipulating information. As such, working memory might also be referred to as working attention. Working memory and attention together play a major role in the processes of thinking.

WM depends on the prefrontal cortex as well as other cerebral cortical areas.

• coordinative retrieval from LTM• maintaining attention• inhibiting things that distract us• ability to recombine new information

Long Term Memory

Long Term Memory

Studies using functional brain imaging have identified a large network of areas in the cerebral cortex that work together with the hippocampus to support declarative memory.

long term memory: declarative knowledgeour ability to learn and consciously remember everyday facts and events

Forms of declarative knowledge

1. Semantic: includes general facts and data. different cortical networks are specialized forprocessing particular kinds of information, such as faces, houses, tools, actions, language, and many other categories of knowledge.

declarative knowledge

Forms of declarative memory2. episodic memories or autobiographical: memories of specific personal experiences that occurred at a particular place and time The medial temporal lobe areas are generally believed to serve a critical role in the initial processing and storage of these memories.

Nondeclarative knowledge

Procedural memories: is expressed in skilled behavior and learned habits and requires processing by the basal ganglia and cerebellum. The cerebellum is specifically involved in motor tasks that involve coordinated timing. The amygdala appears to play an important role in the emotional aspects of memory, attaching emotional significance to otherwise neutral stimuli and events.

How are memories stored in the brain?

persistent change in synapses

short term – through biochemical events that affect the strength of the relevant synapse.

long term – long –term potentiation (LTP): a long lasting increase in the strength of a synaptic response.

Long term potentiation or LTP is an activity-dependent increase in synaptic strength that is thought to reflect how an individual neuron “learns” a. LTP in the hippocampus depends on NMDA receptors, a kind of glutamate receptor b. The increased expression of neurotrophins and other proteins have been implicated in the long term changes in synaptic strength underlying learning.

Increased synaptic strength may also occur via changes located presynaptically such as increases in the amount of neurotransmitter released and/or synaptic growth (increasing the size of existing synapses or inducing the formation of new synapses)

learning and the limbic system

The limbic system overrides the prefrontal cortex.In particular the amygdala - responsible for preparingthe body for emergency situations, such as being 'startled', and for storing memories of events for future recognition.

If you feel threatened or emotional – learning is impaired.