Molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in learning and memory

Abstract

Introduction: The identification of where the different types of information are stored was one of the first questions asked about the memory neurobiology. The researchers wanted to know if there would be a large “memory center” or if there were multiple locations in the brain responsible for its storage. Therefore, a bibliographical research was carried out for the scientific knowledge of the theme. Methodology: Is a bibliographic study, carried out through a literary survey in the Google Scholar and SciELO databases, in addition to neuroscience textbooks. Results: The behavior observed in the learning process of the aplysya slug at the cellular and molecular level was developed from an experimental system made by Eric Kandel, austrian physician and neuroscientist. To try to explain these behavioral phenomena, Kandel sought to understand the functioning of the sinatic phenomena, studying the sinaptic transmission between neurons at the time the reflexes occur. Thus, it determined the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity of aplysia, similar to vertebrate systems. Conclusions: In view of the clarifications of the components involved in the neural circuits, two stages that participate in the learning and memory process are considered: the first would be the acquisition of a short-lived memory, resulting from a transient reinforcement of the synapses, due to the modification of preexisting proteins. And the second consolidation, characterized by a persistent reinforcement of synapses, due to changes in gene expression, followed by protein synthesis, resulting in new synaptic connections.