Lecture 38 Outline of Last Lecture I. Behaviors emerge as the adequate neural circuitry developsa. Epigenetic factors affect the rate of behavioral development among individualsb. Example: grasping behaviors in infantsII. Language development is associated with increased dendritic complexity and increase myelination in speech areas of the brainIII. Jean Piaget proposed four primary stages of knowledge developmenta. Sensorimotorb. Preoperationalc. Concrete operationald. Formal operationalIV. Stimulating environments promote maximum brain developmenta. Individuals raised in enriched environments exhibit larger synapses and more astrocytesb. Exercise dramatically increases neurogenesisOutline of Current Lecture I. Hippocampal neurogenesis is induced by increased dendritic arborizationa. Rigorous exercise increases hippocampal volume and acts as an anti-depressant/anxietyII. Critical periods are important windows of time during development when acquisition of certain behaviors are cruciala. Imprinting involves a predisposed attachment to a certain individual or objectb. Early sensory deprivation causes individuals to miss important critical periods and has long-lasting effectsi. Induces dendritic atrophyIII. Early life stressors are associated with increased amygdala size, decreased hippocampus size, and higher risks of depression and anxiety disordersCurrent Lecture- Genes that are upregulated by both exercise and enrichment improve learning and memoryo Hippocampal neurogenesis is not a result of more neurons, but more synapses synaptogenesis (increased dendritic arborization)o Rigorous exercise increases hippocampal volume, whereas stretching decreases volume Nourishing new neurons (providing enough BDNFs, other positive signals) neurons can find the right connections Exercise acts as an antidepressant and anti-anxietyThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. NSCI 110 1st Edition Volume of oxygen that can be processed in the hippocampus increases- Critical periods are a developmental window during which some event has a long-lasting influence on the braino Imprinting process that predisposes an animal to form an attachment to objects/animalso Early sensory deprivation has the opposite effect of cognitively-stimulating environments Dendritic atrophy, decreased brain size, decrease in learning and memory capacity Abnormal pain responses (frontal lobe function)o The Harlow Experiments Monkeys experienced failure to thrive if not given proper “cuddling” structures- Eventually failed to eat and died of malnutrition - Needed only 15 minutes per day of normal interaction to have normal brain functioning as an adult (developmental homeostasis) Social deprivation results in social dysfunctiono Genie: young girl under severe abuse, neglected, social isolation Strapped to child’s toilet, unspoken to by whole familyo Early life stressors (depends on degree and duration, mild stress is healthy) are associated with: Increase in amygdala size Decrease in hippocampus size Higher risk of depression and anxiety
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