Introduction the basics of psychological learning and memory theory. From Mechanisms of Memory by J. David Sweatt, Ph.D.

Introduction the basics of psychological learning and memory theory. From Mechanisms of Memory by J. David Sweatt, Ph.D.

Definitions Learning: The acquisition of an altered behavioral response due to an environmental stimulus. Memory: The processes through which learned information is stored. Recall: altered The conscious or unconscious retrieval process through which this behavior is manifest.

Sensitization in the Venus Flytrap Image courtesy of Muriel Weinerman, New York Botanical Gardens

Vernalization Cabbage biennial plant Arabidopsis thaliana Courtesy Richard M Amasino, U Wisconsin

Subdivisions of Human Memory HUMAN MEMORY DECLARATIVE (EXPLICIT) NONDECLARATIVE (IMPLICIT) FACTS EVENTS PROCEDURAL (SKILLS AND HABITS) PRIMING SIMPLE CLASSICAL CONDITIONING NONASSOCIATIVE LEARNING EMOTIONAL RESPONSES SKELETAL MUSCULATURE MEDIAL TEMPORAL LOBE STRIATUM NEOCORTEX AMYGDALA CEREBELLUM REFLEX PATHWAYS Milner B, Squire LR, Kandel ER: "Cognitive neuroscience and the study of memory". Neuron 1998, 20:445-468.

Hierarchical Organization of Memory Unconscious Learning Conscious Learning Working Memory Subject to conscious Recall Storage (unconscious) Unconscious Recall Storage (unconscious) Subject to conscious Recall Conscious Storage and conscious recall Trace conditioning Operant conditioning Hippocampusdependent contextual fear conditioning Taste learning Conditioned taste aversion Non-associative learning Habituation Sensitization Dishabituation Declarative Learning Spatial Learning Conscious associative conditioning Associative Learning Pavlovian Conditioning Delay Eye-blink conditioning Cued Fear conditioning Motor learning

Aplysia californica Image courtesy of Dr. John Byrne

Dr. Eric Kandel Nobel Laureate, Columbia University

Aplysia Sensitization Image courtesy of Dr. Terry Walters

Response Simple Forms of Learning

The Graded Nature of Learning Kandel ER: "The molecular biology of memory storage: a dialogue between genes and synapses". Science 2001, 294:1030-1038

Protein Synthesis Inhibitors Disrupt Long-term Memory Consolidation Training Testing at 24 Hrs. Control Inhibitor Control Inhibitor Vianna MR, Szapiro G, McGaugh JL, Medina JH, Izquierdo I: "Retrieval of memory for fear-motivated training initiates extinction requiring protein synthesis in the rat hippocampus". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001, 98:12251-12254

Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medical Institute Ivan Pavlov with his canine subjects

Pavlovian Associative Conditioning Conditioned Stimulus Unconditioned Stimulus Unconditioned Response Conditioned Stimulus Conditioned Response

Categories of Associative Conditioning Delay Conditioning CS US Time Trace Conditioning CS US Time

Fear Conditioning TRAINING Animal is placed in novel context Hears a tone Receives foot shock CONTEXTUAL TEST CUED TEST Animal is returned to same context Test for freezing behavior Animal is placed in modified context Hears a tone Test for freezing behavior

Hermissenda Image courtesy of Mike Johnson

Lifelong Single-trial Learning

Taste Learning NEOPHOBIA TASTE AVERSION? DAY 1 10 DAY 1 10 LiCl DAY 2 10 DAY 2 10 Measure increased consumption as index of long-term memory of novel taste Measure decreased consumption as index of long-term memory of novel taste

grams blueberry bar Conditioned Taste Aversion A DAY 1 B 1.0 1 st Exposure to Food Item 0.8 0.6 0.4 Injection of LiCl or NaCl 0.2 DAY 2 0.0 LiCl NaCl 2 nd Exposure to Food Item Grams Ingested on 2 nd Exposure (LiCl treated group compared to NaCl treated control)

Neophobia grams blueberry bar A DAY 1 B 0.8 1 st Exposure to Food Item DAY 2 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 1st intake 2nd intake 2 nd Exposure to Food Item Grams Ingested (1 st exposure compared to second exposure)

Non-graded Acquisition of Memory

Four Types of Experiments Hypothesis: A B C Experiment Prediction Determine Block Mimic Measure None (A makes C happen) Blocking B should block A causing C Activating B should cause C A makes B happen

The World s Deadliest Marine Animal

BOX Jellyfish Sea Wasp Species - Chironex Fleckeri Synonyms - Box Jellyfish, Fire Medusa, Indringa. The Box Jellyfish projects pedaliums, each of which may contain up to as many as fifteen tentacles each 3 metres in length

For mobility, the Box Jellyfish contracts with a jet-like motion, shooting itself along up to speeds of 4 knots. It is presumed to have eyes connected to a nerve ring and the creature can take evasive action or move towards its prey.

Nematocyst (400X) ~4000/animal

The World s Deadliest Marine Animal