The role of neurons in memory

1. Lesson 1 - The role of Neurons in Memory formation

2. Revision - The Neuron

4. Receptor cite

5. Kandel found that any experience resulting in memory produces
physical changes in the brain at the neuronal level, changes in
structure and function of neurons.

6. Kandel’s Research on the role of neurons
Eric Kandel studies the sea slug Aplysia for the following reasons:
•Very simple nervous system
•Only 20,000 neurons
•Largest neurons in the world and can be seen with the naked eye

7. Studied simple learning and remembering of the gill-
withdrawal reflex of Aplysia
Kandel’s experiments
Observed changes at the synapse (i.e. point of
communication by adjacent neurons) in the structure and
function of neurons in three ways:
•Release extra neurotransmitter
•Increase number of receptor sites
•Growth of new synapses
These changes are called collectively Long Term
Potentiation

8. The role of NT’s

9. Glutamate
Glutamate (Glu) is the main excitatory neurotransmitter for
information transmission throughout the brain.This means that
glutamate enhances information transmission by making
postsynaptic neurons more likely to fire. In memory formation,
glutamate plays crucial roles in the structural changes that occur,
particularly in the growth and strengthening of synaptic connections
between neurons within a memory circuit.

10. Dopamine
It has also been found to contribute to the strengthening of synaptic
connections in the brain and therefore to the formation of LTM.This role is
similar to that of glutamate but does not seem to be as prominent or as well
understood. There also seems to be an ideal level of dopamine for working
memory to function properly.As the level of dopamine increases or decreases,
so can the functioning of working memory.

11. Acetylcholine (ACh), is found to be at an abnormally low level in the brains of
people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia that is characterised
by the gradual deterioration of memory, resulting in very serious memory deficits.
Furthermore, drugs that inhibit the activity of ACh can cause temporary loss of
memory.
Acetylcholine