6 Learning and Neural Plasticity Free Online FlashCards

What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a lasting increase in synaptic strength.

What is long-term depression (LTD)?

Long-term depression (LTD) is a lasting decrease in synaptic strength.

What combination can trigger LTP at many excitatory synapses?

At many excitatory synapses, presynaptic activity coinciding with postsynaptic depolarization can trigger LTP by relieving the voltage-dependent block of NMDA receptors.

How can NMDA receptor opening strengthen a synapse?

When NMDA receptors open, calcium enters the postsynaptic neuron and activates pathways that can increase the number or effectiveness of AMPA receptors, strengthening later responses.

How can a modest calcium rise contribute to LTD?

At some hippocampal synapses, a more modest rise in postsynaptic calcium can favor signaling that removes or reduces AMPA receptors, weakening transmission.

What determines synaptic change in spike-timing-dependent plasticity?

The relative timing of presynaptic and postsynaptic firing can influence whether a synapse strengthens or weakens.

What can help stabilize longer-lasting plasticity?

Longer-lasting changes can involve altered gene expression, protein production, and structural changes to synapses.

How can dopamine influence plasticity?

Neuromodulators such as dopamine can signal that an outcome is rewarding, unexpected, or otherwise important, influencing plasticity.

What is neural adaptation?

Neural adaptation is a change in responsiveness after sustained or repeated stimulation; it can reduce responses to unchanging stimuli and emphasize new or changing information.

What is the role of homeostatic plasticity?

Homeostatic plasticity helps stabilize overall neural activity when activity levels change over time.

How does synaptic scaling differ from Hebbian plasticity?

Hebbian plasticity tends to modify particular active connections, while synaptic scaling adjusts many excitatory synapses to help stabilize overall activity.

What is metaplasticity?

Metaplasticity is the regulation of how easily a neuron undergoes further plasticity, based on its prior activity.