Learning:Learning is
defined as a relatively
permanent change in
behaviour that occurs as a
result of experience
Learning is an ongoing process
that continues throughout the life
span, enabling us to adapt and
cope in an ever-changing world.
Learning may occur intentionally
or unintentionally and can also be
active or passive.
When a neuron is stimulated it produces an
action potential and when the action potential
gets to the end of the axon terminals of the
presynaptic neuron it stimulates the release of
a neurotransmitter called GLUTAMATE into the
synaptic gap between the presynaptic neuron
and the dendrites of a neighboring
postsynaptic neuron.
neurotransmitter
strengthens connections
dopamine:release of dopamine
at this time provides a
pleasurable experience. This
positive consequence rewards
the activity motivating the
individual to repeat it.
repeated stimulation
Hebbian learning: if two
neurone are active at the
same tie, the synapse
between them are
strengthened, thus
facilitating the passage of
nerve impulses along a
particular circuit.
long term potentiation: Hebb's hypothesis lead
to the discovery go LTP-refers to long-lasting
strengthening of the synaptic connections of
neurons, resulting in a more effective functioning
of the neurons whenever they are activated. LTP
is a crucial neural mechanism that makes
learning possible.
as the brain receives
specific appropriate input
through the senses or
processes information, with
appropriate frequency,
intensity and duration, the
brain physically changes its
structure
Neurons
Proliferation is the first
processes, which refers
to the production of new
cells/ neurons in the
brain primarily occurring
early in life.
Early in development, the cells lining
the ventricles divide where some cells
become stem cells where others
remain where they are or become
neurons.
Migration, which refers to
the movement of newly
formed neurons and glia to
their eventual locations.
Migration occurs in a
variety of directions
throughout the brain
and cells following
chemical paths in the
brain
Myelination occurs
which is the process by
which glia produce the
fatty sheath that covers
the axons of some neurons
called the myelin sheath
and occurs gradually for
decades.
synaptogenesis that
refers to the
formation of the
synapses between
neurons.
synaptogenesis occurs
throughout the life as
neurons are constantly
forming new
connections. The process
slows significantly later in
the lifetime.
plasticity : refers to the
brains ability to change
and reorganise itself by
forming new neural
connection throughout
life
developmental
plasticity :brains
natural ability to
form new
connections in order
to process sensory
information from
environmental
stimulation
synaptic pruning:
eliminates weaker
synaptic contacts
while stronger
connections are kept
and strengthened
adaptive plasticity: is the
brains ability to form new
connections to recover or
compensate for lost function
and\or to maximise
remaining functioning in the
event of brain injury
Axonal sprouting:
undamaged axons
grow new nerve
endings to reconnect
neurone whose links
were injured or
severed
rerouting : undamged neurone that has
lost connection with an active neurone
may seek a new active neurone and
connect with it instead
structure
soma
dendrites
axon
myelin sheath
axon terminal
synaptic gap
neurotransmitter
post synaptic neuron
Maturation and development
maturation: involves the orderly,
sequential changes the body is
genetically predetermined to
undertake
critical periods:optimum
times for the development of
certain pathways in response
to appropriate stimulation
sensitive periods: when an
organism is more responsive to
certain environmental stimulus
or experiences
experience
dependent
learning
particular learning
experience
expectant
learning
experience
=
unexpected
reflex: innate, automatic reaction
involving a simple rapid response to a
specific stimulus, which does not depend
on conscious thought or processing