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nutrition and cognitive performance (learning and memory (three stages of…
nutrition and cognitive performance
learning and memory
learning
: process by which an organism acquires knowledge about its environment
memory
: storage or retention of that knowledge
retrieval mechanism
: search and readout of stored information
three stages of learning & memory
sensory info first stored in STM and then selectively converted into LTM via process of memory consolidation. occurs after training & increases in strength over time with repetition
LTM can be recalled through memory retrieval
recall puts memories into an unstable state, and after recall, the memory must be reconsolidated or it will be forgotten. occurs upon review or repetition of learned material
types of (long-term) memory
declarative
: memory that is recalled by intentional and conscious efforts. it can be consciously discussed
non-declarative
: memory that is most recalled without intentional and conscious efforts
neuroplasticity
lifelong ability of the brain to recognise neural pathways based on new experiences. It is the changing of structure, function and organisation of neurons in response to new experiences. As we learn we acquire new knowledge and skills through instructions and experience.
axonal sprouting
healthy axons sprout new nerve endings that connect to other pathways in CNS
useful to strengthen existing connections
& to repair damaged parts of CNS by repairing damaged neural pathways and restoring them to full functionality
synaptic pruning
synapses start to form around 36th week of gestation & it gets denser for about 2 years, converging to a 'fully connected neural network'
as it gets dense, synapses that don't conduct action potential on a frequent basis start to disappear & number of connections start to decline --> determined by experience
brain structures involved
prefrontal cortex
: an important neural substrate for working memory, sustained attention and behavioral/cognitive flexibility
dorsal hippocampus
: important neural substrate for acquiring declarative memory, especially for spatial learning and memory
ventral hippocampus
: only modest impact on spatial learning and memory. Important neural substrate for the acquisition and expression of fear and anxiety-related behaviours.
amnesia
amnesia produced by trauma to the brain
retrograde amnesia
: events for a period of time before the trauma are forgotten, but memories from the distant past and period following the trauma interact
anterograde amnesia
: events before the trauma can be remembered, but there are no memories for the periods following the trauma
bilateral removal of hippocampal formation and allied structures in H.M
there are different forms of memory: short-term vs. long-term
the temporal lobe is a critical neuronal substrate that's necessary for specific forms of learning and memory
the hippocampus is not the ultimate structure for long-term storage of declarative memories
the medial temporal lobe structures are important for the formation of new (declarative) memories, which are the imprinted on other brain structures
aging
continual process of change in brain; unused connections get pruned; used connections get strengthened; process continues throughout life
loss of brain volume (especially in hippocampus and frontal lobes); loss of myelin, synapses & dendritic arbor; cytoskeletal changes. Aging is associated with progressive losses in function across multiple systems (sensation, cognition, memory, motor control, affect) and they occur with increasing age