think science: memory - dr. isabel muzzio

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Isabel A. MuzzioDepartment of Biology

University of Texas at San Antonio

Think ScienceMemory

Why study learning and memory?

1. Alzheimer’s, Korsakoff’s, stroke

2. Down’s syndrome, mental retardation

3. Too much memory? PTSD, other maladaptive learned behaviors

4.Philosophical issuesRoman orator Marcus Tulle's Cicero (104-63 B.C.) Memory is the

treasury and guardian of all things.

Declarative memories•Episodic memories: Events happening in

particular contexts at specific times

•Semantic memories: Knowledge and concepts about particular subjects

•Requires conscious attention

•Strong evidence indicated that the medial temporal lobe including the hippocampus is required for this type of memory

Role of the hippocampus in contextual gating of aversive events

Henry Molaison

The strange case of patient H.M.Treated for epilepsy in 1953 (27 yrs old)

Bilateral excision of medial temporal lobes

Little effects on perception, intelligence

Suffers from anterograde amnesia (cannot form new memories)

Lived in a nursing home in Hartford until 2008

Anterograde

Retrograde

Anterograde vs. retrograde amnesia

Place cell recordings

Place Cells respond to Local Cues

Rotate With Visual Cues ‘Remap’ in New Contexts

Context A Context B Context A

6.9

Muzzio Lab Research Interests

•How emotions affect memory?

•What is the relationship between sleep and memory?

•How do we learn to reorient in space?

How are emotional memories represented in the brain?

Role of the hippocampus in contextual gating of aversive events

Extinction of fear

Fearful responding in a safe context is unnecessary and can be detrimental, so

animals must be able to learn when contexts are no longer dangerous

Sleep across the lifespan