How your brain learns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cdjUT4lg14
The brain- reptilian, lymbic and cortex

Neurons, Neurotransmitters

Communication between Neurons

When neurons communicate, they send a neurotransmitter (electrochemical message) across the axon ending neuron to dendrites of the next.
Presynaptic- the axon ending of sending neuron Postsynaptic- the dendrite of the receiving neuron.

Synapse formation during learning

The Long term potentiation and Learning:

Synapse is the site of communication between the adjacent neurons.

It comprises of the axon terminal of presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gap, and the dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron.

Synapse formation involves:

Creation of new neural pathways

Strengthening of existing neural pathways

Long-term potentiation

LTP is the long-lasting strengthening of the synaptic connections of neurons, resulting in more enhanced functioning of neurons whenever they are activated. Dendrites that receive neurotransmitter message can grow longer and sprout new branches when used others are pruned away from disuse.

Hebbian Learning (Hebbs Rule):

Learning results in the creation of cell assembles or neural networks
neurons that fire together wire together

When a neurotransmitter is repeatedly sent across the synapse this can affect the strength of these connections making it more likely to fire together more forcibly again.
Neurons that do not fire together weaken their connections

The role of Neurotransmitters on Learning

There are two important neurotransmitters involved in learning; glutamate and dopamine.

When learning takes place, glutamate is released by the presynaptic neurons. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain for learning. When glutamate is released by the presynaptic neuron, it acts on two types of glutamate receptors in the postsynaptic neuron: . The repeated glutamate release also stimulates the release of dopamine, which in turn activates genes in the neuron. This prompts growth in the postsynaptic neuron of an increased number of dendritic spines that make the postsynaptic neuron more sensitive to future firing by other neighbouring presynaptic neurons. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op0XqgWQn7E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql_wAovRKO8&list=PLjz23w RyaAXJ1wvF5JAvdoc7BZsEMiTgH This process happens within 30 minutes.

Applications of Plasticity :
Sensitive Periods for Learning

Developmental Plasticity
Adaptive Plasticity

Definition: refers to a very narrow period of time in an animals development in which the animal is pre-programmed for learning to occur. For example, ethnologist Konrad Lorenz studied how young birds imprint (form an immediate attachment) to the first moving object they see after they hatch from the egg.

Sensitive & Critical Periods for Learning

Lorenz found that greylag geese hatchlings imprinted on him and followed him wherever he went.
For these geese, the critical period was the first few moments of their life (Lorenz 1937). In humans these critical periods are often referred to as sensitive periods because the time in which they occur is more flexible and broad than critical periods for non-human animals.

Sensitive Periods
Definition: Time an organism is more responsive to certain stimulation
Lack of stimulation can lead to long term deficit

E.g. closed eye from birth leads to later blindness even when eye eventually opened
Language acquisition has a sensitive period (0 12 years) Learning a new language in teen years can lead to the development of a second Brocas area!

Review: Developmental Plasticity

Changes as a result of experience and maturation
Synaptogenesis new neural connections Synaptic pruning removal of synaptic connections that are no longer needed

Adults have less neural connections than a 3 year old!

Review: Adaptive Plasticity

The brain reorganises the way neurons in different regions operate in response to a deficit Deficits can occur from birth or as a result of brain damage
The plastic Brain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vo-rcVMgbI
How learning changes the brainhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI6r3HqCk1k

Neuroplasticity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0G8Lz5vFds&feature=related

Damage from Birth - Congenital

Congenital E.g. People who are blind from birth may have occipital lobes that are used for senses other than vision http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49dS76KhGc Blind Adaptive Plasticity
This may explain why people who are blind from birth have very good hearing or tactile sensitivity

Damage from Injury

When a particular brain area is damaged e.g. stroke other brain areas can take up the slack This is what happens when people recover from brain damage Nerve cells do not regrow, rather other neurons take over the functions of the damaged cell Rerouting neurons near damaged area seek new active connections with healthy neurons Sprouting new dendrites grow May occur near damaged area of in other parts of brain Allows shifting of function from damaged area to healthy area Relearning tasks like walking, eating etc. helps these new connections form

Adaptive Plasticity and Experience

Why is it so?
Musicians have enhanced motor and sensory areas

Taxi drivers have enhanced functioning of their parietal lobes

Dancers motor areas are enhanced