Altering Learning & Memory

Altering Learning & Memory

1. Drugs that could erase memories (Whalley, 2007). Suggested that Propanolol could be used to erase painful memories and help those with PTSD

2. Cognitive enhancing drugs to increase learning and memory are called nootropics

   • E.g., donepezil (Aricept) increases activity of neurotransmitter acetylcholine esterase by inhibiting degrading enzyme, AChE
   • Ampakines act via synaptic site receptors for neurotransmitter glutamate to improve hippocampal long term potentiation

3. Enriched environment

   • Experimental animals were housed in groups, in a complex environment with objects. The control group was housed singly with no objects
     • Brain changes in response to enriched environment: changes in cortex, subcortex, dendritic branching, synaptic spines, Post-synaptic thickening, Number of glial cells, Number nerve cells and Neurotransmitter (AChE)

4. Brain stimulation to improve memory

   • Based on pattern of brain activity recorded as people recalled a list of words, algorithm was developed that predicted with high accuracy whether a person would remember a given word.
     • By stimulating the brain only when a person read words that were likely to be forgotten, performance was boosted (up to 140%). (Rizzuto, et al.)

5. Manipulation of NMDA receptors in hippocampus

   • Drugs/genetic manipulations that alter NMDA receptors may block or facilitate long term potentiation & learning
     • Knocking out gene that encodes for NR1 subunit of NMDA receptor in hippocampus of mice poor memory
       • Introduce gene encoding for NR2B subunit of NDMA receptor. (stays open longer than NR2B subunit) --> improved memory