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Neural plasticity

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Capacity for continuous alteration of neural pathways and synapses of CNS in response to EXPERIENCE or INJURY

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What changes when someone learns?

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Learning and memory

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Learning

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Process by which we acquire knowledge PROCESS resulting in memories

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Memory

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Product of learning process- where learned info is stored PRODUCT resulting from learning

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Learning can change:

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1. Excitability of neurons 2. Strength of neural connections 3. Number of neural connections 4. Neural pathways among CNS structures

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Initial, short-term:

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Changes in strength of synaptic connections (function)

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Long-term:

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Changes in structure, organization, number of synapses (structure)

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Neural plasticity occurs on a continuum from ____ to ____ changes:

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Short term, functional Long term, structural

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Explicit learning

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Episodic Semantic

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Implicit learning

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Procedural Associative Non associative

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Implicit characteristics:

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Effort: easy Learning: unaware Memory: difficult to verbalize Speed: fast Control: unconscious Process: passive

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Explicit characteristics:

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Effort: hard Learning: aware Memory: easy to verbalize Speed: slow Control: conscious Process: active

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Naming the muscles in your hand is ____ learning:

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Explicit

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Describing the movement you use to write your name is ____ learning:

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Implicit

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How do implicit and explicit learning differ in terms of processing in the CNS?

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Implicit is lower in the hierarchy- no processesing Explicit is higher in the hierarchy- lots of processing, requires consciousness

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Non associative

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Implicit *Reflex pathways* -Provided with repeated stimulus -Increase OR decrease responsiveness of pathway -Lower processing levels (no higher order CNS structures) *Habituation, sensitization* Structures: reflex pathways STM to LTM: same pathways

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Habituation definition:

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Learned *suppression* of a response to a stimulus *Non associative*

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Short term functional changes: Habituation

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Excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSP) must reach sum to reach threshold -Decreased amplitude of EPSP at synapse -Depolarization is harder

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Long term structural changes: Habituation

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Decrease in # of synaptic connections transmitting zones within connection Pruning

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Sensitization definition:

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Strengthening responses following stimuli *Non associative*

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Short term functional changes: Sensitization

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Prolonged action potential (short term) -More neurotransmitter is released -Depolarization is easier

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Long term functional changes: Sensitization

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Increased # of connections

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Associative

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Implicit ** -Learned associations between different events -Relationships between one event and the next -Linking behaviors to consequence of behaviors *Classical conditioning, operant conditioning*

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Classical conditioning definition:

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S-R pairing. Pair strong stimulus (hot dog) to a weak stimulus (bell)...over time bell induces response (drooling) Hot dog/bell/dog drool

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Short term structural changes: Classical conditioning

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Changes in synaptic efficiency between neurons in pathway Similar to sensitization

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Long term structural changes: Classical conditioning

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Increased # of synaptic connections within a new neural pathway

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Operant conditioning definition:

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Learned associations between behavior and *consequence* of behavior Reinforcement: increases frequency of behavior (like sensitization) Punishment: decreases frequency of behavior (like habituation) Positive: provide stimulus Negative: take away averse stimulus

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Short term structural changes: Operant conditioning

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Changes in synaptic efficiency between neurons in pathway

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Long term structural changes: Operant conditioning

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Change in # of synaptic connections within a neural pathway

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Structures and pathways depend on...

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-What is being associated -Emotions

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Structures in associative learning (4)

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Cerebellum Premotor cortex Amygdala Hypothalamus

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Assoc. learning- Cerebellum:

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Deep cerebellar nuclei for *movement conditioning*

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Assoc. learning- Premotor cortex:

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For associating senses with movement

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Assoc. learning- Amygdala:

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For adaptation related to emotion (fear)

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Assoc. learning- Hypothalamus:

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Reward system

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Procedural learning

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Implicit ** -Process of developing procedural memory -Learning the procedure *how to do* movement thru repeated practice -Non-verbal, non-analytic -Difficult or impossible to explain procedure -Knowing how

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Procedural memory

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Retrieval of procedure does not require conscious thought: *automaticity* Efficient retrieval during action BUT difficult to verbalize the procedure

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Structures in procedural learning (4)

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Sensory & motor cortices Basal ganglia Posterior parietal cortex Cerebellum Frontal cortices BUT NOT PFC

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Procedural learning- Sensory & motor cortices:

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Sensory/motor mapping

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Procedural learning- Basal ganglia:

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Formation of habits

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Procedural learning- Posterior parietal cortex:

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Multimodal sensory/motor

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Procedural learning- Cerebellum:

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Correcting/fine-tuning movement; automatic processes

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Procedural learning- Frontal cortices:

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SMA, premotor, primary motor- movements happening at subconscious level, not processing conscious thought NOT PREFRONTAL CORTEX Adaptation: cerebellum is KEY Basal ganglia is important, but we don't know its roll

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Short term structural changes: Procedural learning

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Change in strength of cerebellar fiber synapses (purkinje, mossy, climbing)

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Long term structural changes: Procedural learning

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Adaptation in efficiency of cerebellar synapses

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Explicit learning:

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Info consciously and intentionally encoded and retrieved in a structured analytical way Associative: linked to existing information "Knowing what"

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Episodic

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Explicit Related to personal experiences and specific events

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Semantic

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Explicit Textbook information, "common knowledge" and basic facts

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Structures in explicit learning (4)

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Hippocampus Medial temporal lobe Prefrontal cortex Anterior cingulate

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Explicit learning- Hippocampus:

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(Within medial temporal lobe) retain/recall episodic memories, spatial memory, long term spatial maps

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Explicit learning- Medial temporal lobe:

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Long term memory

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Explicit learning- Prefrontal cortex:

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Remembering contextual details of experience (episodic)

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Explicit learning- Anterior cingulate:

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Decision-making, impulse control

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Short & long term structural changes: Explicit learning

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Long term potentiation (LTP): a weak excitatory input arrives "piggy backs" at the same time as a strong input Similar to associative learning: -*Early*: functional enhancement of input (increase EPSP) -*Late:* structural (new synapses)

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Stages of learning

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Early: cognitive Intermediate: fixation Late: automaticity

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Early motor learning is...

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*Explicit* learning. Once basic GMP is formed learning is *implicit* (procedural)

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Given the description of early stages of learning, you would expect brain activity to be:

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In many structures

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Given the description of early learning, you would expect there would be a ____ amount of brain activity during early learning:

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High

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Areas active in cognitive learning:

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Prefrontal cortex: plan and change movements Premotor cortex: SMA Posterior parietal cortex Basal ganglia Cerebrocerebellum Primary motor cortex Somatosensory cortex

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What type of learning is occurring during early learning?

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Explicit: episodic- the FACTS on how to move Things in relation to how your body works

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Additional areas active in cognitive learning:

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Hippocampus: spatial memory, long term spatial maps Medial temporal lobe Prefrontal cortex Anterior cingulate

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*Intermediate stage:* fixation

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Narrowing of the pathways

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Areas active in intermediate learning:

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Increase in *subcortical* motor activity -Thalamus -Dentate nucleus of cerebellum -Basal ganglia (putamen) REDUCTION in strength of PFC activiation

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*Late learning:* automaticity

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Few specific pathways Overall reduction of CNS activity- increase in activation of *specific* structures Further reduction of PFC, lateral cerebellar regions, primary motor cortex INCREASE # neurons in thalamus, BG, cerebellar subcortical circuit

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Areas active in late learning:

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Thalamus Basal ganglia Cerebellar subcortical circuit

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