1. Eric Kandel and the Hippocampus
Tiana Hobbs
Nayira Warren
Date: 11/09/12
Period: 3B

2. Background on Kandel Born in Vienna, Austria in 1929
Currently a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and professor of biochemistry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
He developed a deep interest in the biology of motivation and unconsciousness and conscious memory due to Freud
He attended both Harvard University and New York University of Medical School

3. The Hippocampus

4. Function of the Hippocampus
A major part of the brain
Involved in the formation, storing and processing of memory (short and long term)
-inhibition, memory, and space
Located in the temporal lobe
There are two parts that interlock: the Ammon’s horn and dentate gyrus

5. Synaptic Gap
The gap between terminal buttons of a neuron and the receiving cell
Here is where chemical messengers send electrical impulses to the rest of the body
Sends memories to other parts of brain for long term storage and is able to retrieve the memories whenever necessary

6. Memory Experiments
Kandel initially only studied and recorded the activity of nerve cells in the hippocampus
However, Kandel began to realize that memory storage must rely on modifications in the synaptic connections between neurons, also that the complex connectivity of the hippocampus did not provide the best system to study the function of synapses
He conducted experiments on mice, snails, slugs, flies (because studying and learning of memory in mammals was too complex)in order to support his findings in the field of memory

7. Memory Experiments
Kandel investigated simpler models, such as the sea slug- Aplysia
He concluded that the number of nerve cells compared to that of a mammal is fewer (20,000 cells)
- it has a much simpler protective reflex that protects the gills
-he also learned that certain types of stimuli resulted in the increasing/amplification of the protective reflex in the slug
He was able to prove that synaptic function can be seen learning in the sea slug and mice applies to mammals as well

8. The Results of the Experiment
Kandel’s experiment (consisting of mice, flies, snails, and slugs) have demonstrated the fundamental ways that nerve cells change their response to chemical signals to produce coordinated changes in behavior
Short term memory involves a functional modulation of the synapses while long term memory requires the activation of genes and protein synthesis
He showed that weaker stimuli gave rise to a form of short term memory and that there is an increased amount of transmitter at the synapse
The final result is the shape of the synapse-which has a big effect on long term memory
- long term requires proteins to be formed, but if protein synthesis is prevented, then the long term (processes and function) will be blocked

9. Kandel Today
Kandel recently wrote a novel entitled: “In Search of Memory”
The novel illuminates scientific development in our understanding of the brain’s role as well as his personal life
Explains and discusses the difference between short and long term memory and how the brain stores these memories

10. Works Cited Http://science.education.nih/gov