1. Eric Kandel: Synaptic Changes in the Hippocampus
Johnia Murray
Imani Ross
IB Psychology II 1A

2. Background Info
Kandel was a pioneer in moving the study of the mind from an investigation of behavior to an investigation of impulses
Deals with learning and memory in the hippocampus of the brain
Memories don’t reside in a single, specific spot of the brain
Neural (neurons->synapses->impulses) change occurs between the synapses

3. What is this?

4. Synapses Sites at the end of a neuron
Place where nerve cells communicate with one another
Use neurotransmitters as messages to each other

5. Getting Down to Specifics. . .
1982 Experiment
Eric Kandel and James Schwartz
Observing changes in sending neurons
Used a California sea snail, the Aplysia

6. Aplysia Study A California Sea Snail
Observed changes in sending neurons
Has 20,000+ unusually large nerve cells
Classically conditioned (Ch. 8 from last year) the snail to withdraw its gills when water is squirted at it
Learning occurs
Snail releases serotonin at certain synapses
Becomes more efficient at transmitting signals

7. Aplysia Study cont’d NOVAscienceNOW – A Memorable Snail - PBS

8. Synapses and Memory
Increased synaptic efficiency makes for a more efficient neural circuit
Sending neurons now need less imprinting to release neurotransmitters
The receiving neuron receptor cites may increase
Long Term Potentiation
a long-lasting strengthening of the response of a postsynaptic nerve cell to stimulation across the synapse that occurs with repeated stimulation and is thought to be related to learning and long-term memory

9. Synapses and Memory cont’d
LTP provides a neural basis for learning and remembering associations (reference to Ch.8)
Drugs that block LTP, interfere with learning
At least 40 cognitive enhancers are currently in some phase of development or clinical trial
Target market: those with Alzheimer’s Disease, with mild cognitive impairment

10. Hippocampus: Where is it located?

11. Hippocampus
Where initial events must come here in order to be turned from short term to long term memory
Short term memory is processed in the hippocampus
Neurons have to cross over the synapses to leave a mark or ‘tag’
Declarative Memory
A memory for fact and events
People, places and objects

12. Hippocampus cont’d Contains a cognitive map of external environment
Registers spatial information
Space surrounding you (or animals)
Registers single sensory modality
Sight, sound, touch or pain

13. In short. . . Synaptic changes affect our learning ability and memory
Memories are stored in different places
A lot of work is done in the hippocampus
Don’t do drugs
Snails are more than just slimy creatures that look nasty
There’s still a lot to be discovered about the brain

14. Reference List
Myers, David G. (2006) Psychology (AP Edition). :Macmillan – Worth Publishers.
Mayford, Mark; Siegelbaum, Steven A; Kandel, Eric R. (2012) Synapses and memory storage. CSH Perspectives in Biology, 4(6). Retrieved from