Neural Basis of Learning vs Memory

[kristiann]

Hey all,
I'm not sure if anyone else is having this issue, but I'm finding differentiating between the Neural Basis of Memory and the Neural Basis of Learning. I've come across this in multiple practise exams and have had much difficulty. Any explanations or links to resources would be much appreciated. Thanks

[CossieG]

They are both intertwined to some extent.

The "dot point" of the study design for neural basis of memory is as follows:

• mechanism of memory formation:
– the neuron in memory formation including the role of axons, dendrites, synapses and
neurotransmitters
– role of the temporal lobe including the hippocampus and the amygdala
– consolidation theory
– memory decline over the lifespan
– amnesia resulting from brain trauma and neurodegenerative diseases including dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease

And for neural basis of learning its:

• neural basis of learning:
– the development of neural pathways including the role of axons, dendrites, synapses and
neurotransmitters
– developmental plasticity and adaptive plasticity of the brain: changes to the brain in response
to learning and experience; timing of experiences

The roles of axons, dendrites, synapses, and neurotransmitters are the same for both:

Neurotransmitters comprise of electrochemical messages so essentially they carry information between neurons. The synapse is the site of communication between adjacent neurons which is the small space the neurotransmitter is sent across. The axon sends the neurotransmitter across the synapse to the dentrite. The act of sending a neurotransmitter across the synapse physically changes the synapse; dentrites grow larger and sprout more branches and the neurons involved are more likely to fire together in the future.

As for the rest of the dot points, they are clearly different.

[kristiann]

Thanks for that, kind of getting it down now