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BHS 499-07
Memory and Amnesia
Neuroscience of Memory
Neurons
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Memory consists of a change in the
structure of neurons that leads to
increased likelihood of firing.
Review of neural structure:
• CD 2.1 first slide, 2.2 action potential
Long-term Potentiation (LTP) – both
short and long-term changes in the brain
• CD 13.2 & 13.3 (consolidation)
A Blind Alley
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McConnell (1962) – cut up planaria
(flatworms) and fed them to other worms
who showed the same learning.
• McConnell thought memories were encoded
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in the RNA, not just the neurons.
By eating the RNA, the attributes were
passed on to another being (or person).
His results were not replicated (not true).
Larger Structures
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Semantic memory is structured based on
shared meaning, not prior associations.
• Similar concepts in terms of meaning are
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stored closer to each other.
Semantic “closeness” is metaphoric, based on
response times.
Activation spreads to related items.
A great deal of repeated use moves
items from episodic to semantic memory.
Influences on Memory
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Alcohol – Bits & Pieces
Stress -- Kolb & Whishaw Seg 32 (CD 2)
Diabetes – Kolb & Whishaw Ch 13 Seg 6
(CD 3)