Topic Content Additional terms starting 2020
The brain and Neuroplasticity o Neural networks
behavior o Neural pruning
Neurotransmitters and their effect on o Synapse (excitatory and inhibitory)
behavior o Agonists and antagonist
o Neuron
Genetics and Genetic similarities o Twin and kinship studies
behavior
Topic Definition Example Study & Link (NEW)
Neural A neural network is a series of For example, when a ball is Maguire et. al (2000) –
networks connected neurons that allows the thrown to you and you try neuroplasticity in London taxi
processing and transmitting of to catch it, sensory drivers
information. Specific networks are neurons in your eyes send
responsible for specific tasks. a signal along a neural -> Since the grey matter volume
network that connects to was different between taxi drivers
Neural networks associated with your visual and motor and the control group, neural
learning and memory develop cortices in your brain that networks changed due to
through adolescence. then send signals to the neuroplasticity and continue to
neurons connected to your change in accordance to taxi-
arm, hand, and finger driving experience.
muscles so you can lift The more time they spent driving,
your hands to catch the the move volume of grey matter
ball. The more often you was in the posterior hippocampus
do this, the more suggesting that neural networks
developed this neural were significantly stronger
network will be. compared to the controlled
group.
Neuroplasticity
Neural Synaptic pruning is the process Synaptic pruning happens Maguire et. al (2000) –
pruning whereby unused synapses fade when we lose these neuroplasticity in London taxi
away while the relationship synaptic connections drivers
between synapses of neurons that because we do not need
communicate frequently with each them. -> The anterior hippocampus is
other strengthens, thus increasing For instance, if you learned known to be responsible for
functionality. a few words of Spanish in learning new spatial information
Neural pruning (aka Synaptic 9th grade but never and therefore, since experienced
pruning) happens when we lose studied it again, those taxi drivers aren’t learning new
these synaptic connections in a connections you made information anymore, neural
neural network because we do not have probably been pruning occurs which is seen
use them. pruned by now which is through the reduction of grey
why you can’t speak matter in the anterior
Pruning vs. Neuroplasticity Spanish anymore. Think of hippocampus in taxi drivers.
The process of eliminating synapses it like pruning a tree – if
that are unused is called synaptic you don’t need the Draganski et al. (2004) – juggling
pruning. branches anymore, you cut
Through this process, your brain's them off. This is what
happens to connections in -> illustrates neural pruning
physiology changes. This process is because a lack of activity led to a
broadly referred to as our brain.
decrease in grey matter volume
Neuroplasticity.
, Neurons A neuron is a type of cell that Neurons act as sensors for Fisher et. al – same as
receives, processes, and transmits all types of stimuli and neurotransmitter essay
information through electrical and communicate the stimuli
chemical signals. This transferal of throughout the body in the
messages is known as form of neurotransmitters.
neurotransmission For example, neurons
communicate to the brain
Synaptic plasticity depends on the that you should not leave
activity of the neuron. If two your hand on a hot stove
neurons are repeatedly activated
together, it is likely that a
connection between them will be
formed.
Synapse - An excitatory synapse is SSRIS (Selective serotonin Crow and Grove-White (1973) –
excitatory a synapse in which an action reuptake inhibitors) Hyoscine and memory
potential in a presynaptic
neuron increases the probability of - SSRIS make the synapse Acetylcholine is an excitatory
an action potential occurring in a excitatory as they increase endogenous neurotransmitter
postsynaptic cell. the amount of serotonin in that causes action potential in a
the synapse which can presynaptic neuron increases the
consequently bind with probability of an action potential
receptors and trigger and occurring in a postsynaptic cell.
impulse increasing the This can be seen through the
chance of the receptor study as participants in the
cells taking it up and experimental group who were
therefore increases the injected with hyoscine,
probability of an action demonstrated a significant
potential occurring in the reduction in the learning curve
next neuron. which has been attributed to long-
- SSRIS – promote term memory. These results
excitatory synaptic suggest that hyoscine may impair
transmission learning processes, without
significantly depressing other
psychological functions.
Synapse - 1.Release of inhibitory GABA Crockett et al (2010) – serotonin
inhibitory neurotransmitter -Primary inhibitory and prosocial behavior – pushing
2.Neurotransmitter binds to neurotransmitter someone off a bridge
receptor -Target of anti-anxiety
3.Ion channels open or close medications (Valium, As evident from this study,
4.Current flow begins Xanax) serotonin appears to inhibit the
5.Inhibitory postsynaptic changes production of dopamine, which
occur means that high levels of
6.Postsynaptic cells are inhibited serotonin reduce dopamine levels
hence, leading to less impulsive
and aggressive behavior.
Agonists An agonist is a chemical messenger Pramipexole & Depression: Crockett et al (2010) – serotonin
that binds to the receptor sites of a Pramipexole binds to and prosocial behavior – pushing
specific neurotransmitter on a post- dopamine receptors and someone off a bridge
synaptic neuron, causing the neuron can reduce depression
to fire. It can mimic the action of a Shows how an agonist like
neurotransmitter, thus amplifying Serotonin, can impact behavior.
their effect. Specifically, as found in this study,
serotonin promotes prosocial
Neurotransmitters are endogenous behavior and reduces ability of
agonists - the brain's natural personal harm. Hence, it appears
chemicals that bind to receptor that Serotonin acts as a 5-HT
sites, leading to an action potential. receptor agonist (which is known
Drugs can play the same role and to increase aggressive and
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