Education
Podcast 1. Spaced learning and Podcast 2. Physical activity and cognitive learning
In this podcast, Steven Braybrook explores the concepts of spaced learning and the impact of physical activity on cognitive function. He delves into the neurological mechanisms that enhance memory ret...
Podcast 1. Spaced learning and Podcast 2. Physical activity and cognitive learning
Education •
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Interactive Transcript
Speaker A
Welcome to this podcast by me, Steven Braybrook.
Speaker B
This podcast is an overview of the.
Speaker A
Articles that I put down within my blog posts so it allows you to listen as well as a read. This first one is termed Signs of Space Learning.
Speaker B
Anytime during this please stop this audio.
Speaker A
Make your notes of the information and then continue the role of memory and learning has been well documented as being an important factor when learning and remembering information. Though there have been many models which have looked at addressing memory and learning, fully understanding some of the neurological and neurochemical principles would enable the educator to best set up their lessons to transfer the information they are presenting into long term memory for the student. One of the most robust and fundamental phenomenon seen today regarding learning and memory is the spacing effect. However, although many cognitive models have been proposed to account for the spacing effect, the neuro representation contributes to is still under discussion. One such model is the encoding variability hypothesis which assumes that the greater variability that exists across learning repetitions provides more routes to effective retrieval. This is due to a greater contextual changes and thus more variable encoding. This results in a better memory performance. A second popular model is a study phase retrieval hypothesis which proposes that each repetition serves as a retrieval cue and reactivity and then strengthening the representation of the prior experience. This said, even though cognitive models have been hypothesized to explain the spacing effect, the neurological and neurochemical processes of what occurs within the brain is still being researched. Current research however is suggesting that a transcription factor named CREB plays a key role in converting short term memory into long term memory. Transcription factors are seen as dominant proteins found inside the nucleus cell and whose role it is to find and bind to specific sequences of DNA which become on off switches that control a gene's transcription. CREB proteins become the catalyst for the manufacturing of some synapsis strengthening proteins that transfers a short term memory into a long term memory. This subnazu strengthening forms connections among neurons that get fired at the same time which should become strengthened that form a cellular circuit. This increased strength of neuronal connections triggered by CREB and synapsis strengthening form a process termed long term potentiation. However, this can be relative short lived. After high frequency stimulus has been generated within the brain, the voltage produced by the synapses slowly diminishes back to its original strength within a few hours, reducing the ability of short term memories to become long term memories the longer the time drifts. However, if the same high frequency stimulus is applied repeatedly with regular intervals of inactivity for 10 to 15 minutes, the synapses become strengthened permanently, a state called long term potentiation. This process of high frequency stimulation shows that synapses strengthening proteins would affect any temporary strengthened synapsis. This was done by research who firstly stimulated asynapsis briefly to induce early long term potentiation which would normally just last a few hours and then fired a second synapsis on the same neuron in a way that would induce late long term potentiation that's within that synapses. The researchers did this by inducing three bursts of activity separated by ten minutes of waking rest. Results highlighted that both synapses were perfect permanently strengthened with the stronger stimulus being sent a signal to the nucleus calling for memory protein manufacturing in which the proteins then found any synapses that were already primed to use them. As with stimulation of creb synapsis strengthening proteins and their relationship to long term potentiation, the brain binds these new sequences of synapses connections into frameworks of different representation and consolidations. A key factor of human evolution on what is called neuroreplay or more precisely hippocampal neuroactivity replay which is the temporary compressed reactivation of neuro patterns representing behaviour sequences during rest to compress and imprint the information upon the neuronal neuronal framework. Neural underpinnings of waking rest from work demonstrates changes in activity and connectivity following encoding. This has been seen specifically in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex and left visual cortex. A role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is a support to the control and organizational processes in associate encoding and retrieval, suggesting local reactivation and encoding memory representations. This dynamic process can be termed consolidation theory as it suggests that the long term memory trace is more efficiently stabilized or strengthened by space trials and awakened rest. Importantly, this form of waking memory consolidation has been suggested to be approximately fourfold greater in magnitude than classical studied overnight consolidation which requires sleep and is even preserved during half practice experience when it's reduced by half. It's important to recognize that when learning occurs over multiple optimally spaced trials, molecular signaling initiated in the first trial can extend the temporary window of enhanced neuro excitability which is said to increase the likelihood of the same E symbol being reactivated in following trials and following activities. Space learning would then in turn strengthen the internal synaptic connectivity and render the memory more resistant to homeostatic mechanics that can result in forgetting which increases the probability of retrieval. Many of the same neurobiological mechanisms thought to underlie sleep's effect on memory are shared by waking rest. First cellular level memory reactivation occurs during waking rest in the hippocampus and it is during this process that sequences of neurofirin representation that have been recently experiences recently experienced are retrieved offline. It's also suggested that acetylcholine levels are reduced greatly from waking active levels thought to promote hippocampal cortical communication dynamics that benefit consolidation. This in turn active process of consolidation facilitated by offloading reactivation and induces somatic plasticity.
Speaker B
Hi guys, hope you found that useful.
Speaker A
This is my first one, so reading things out loud for a long period of time. If it broke at the end of it a little bit, just rewind it, listen to it again and keep finding it. And the more I speak of these information out loud in one go, the greater the flow will become. But it's the information that's important. So please listen, rewind it if you have to go over it again and please ask me questions any email bravebrookstephenmail.com Ask me any questions and I will answer them for you.
Speaker B
Look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Speaker A
As always, these things are raw. These things are real. There's no filter.
Speaker B
It's just me speaking information.
Speaker A
Have a great day and I look forward to speaking to you all again very, very soon. Take care. Bye bye.
Speaker B
Hello guys, Excuse me. Welcome back to another little podcast. Like I say, I'm each week I'm going to attempt to read over one of my articles and yeah, just so you can hear it as well as read it. So this week I am reading my latest one which is Physical Activity and Cognitive Brain Function in Learning. So physical activity refers to the body movement that is produced by the contraction of the skeletal muscles and the increased energy expenditure includes activities in the workplace, around the house and during leisure time. Exercise is seen as a link between brain and learning. Many theories have spoke about this and in quite a few meta analyses have indicated that in all their research physical activity has a positive effect on cognition. It's been said that physical activity impacts a learner on three different levels. Firstly, it's said to improve alertness, attention and motivation. Second, it prepares and encourages nerve cells to bind better to one another which are the cellular basis for logging in new information. And finally, it spurs the development of new nerve cells from stem cells in hippocampus. It's also suggested that regular physical activity affects the following biological pathways, optimization of the neuroendocrine physiological responses to psychosocial and physical stresses, acts as a buffer against stress and stress related illnesses and it promotes an anti inflammatory state. Also the enhancement of neuroplasticity and growth factor expression. Research mentioned that exercise directly influences learning by improving the brain's potential to tune in to and process new information via the increased glutamate that is signalled between synapses. And the greater this signal the process of the signal, the greater the swelling of the synapses creating a stronger connection. This is termed the long term potentiation. Research suggests that physical activity triggers the brain to increase and improve the function of neurons by releasing the neurotransmitter serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine which play a vital role in the regulation of brain chemistry and behaviour. Physical activity Physical activity activates these natural motivators in the brain elevated and balancing our neurotransmitters as well, enhancing the connection between the neurons. Physical activity increases somatic efficiency following an increase in somatic traffic from the hippocampal. Long term potentiation which binds cells and retains memory formation giving weight to a strong indicator of the psychological perspective the benefits of physical activity has on learning and memory. Research has also mentioned that physical activity triggers the brain to increase and improve the function of neurons by again releasing this neurotransmitters. Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine as spoken about before. But the importance of these neurotransmitters is that serotonin controls mood, anger, aggression and reduces impulsiveness. Dopamine triggers feelings of being satisfied and being motivated where not everything influences attention, perception and arousal all are vital importance. The optimal brain chemistry that wakes up and increases the energy level in the learning individual and helps improve information storage, retrieval and learning behaviors. It's stated that 80% of the signaling in the brain is carried out by two neurotransmitters that balance each other's effect. Glutamate stirs up activity to begin the this signalling cascade and GABA which clamps down in the activity. Research has also stated that within the brain group of neurons, nerve cells form neuro circuits to carry out specific small scale functions. For example formation of achievement of memory. These neuro circuits interconnect with each other to form a large scale brain network which carry out more complex function things around hearing, vision and movement as examples. To get the individual nerve cells to work together across these networks, some type of communication between them is needed. And one way this is accomplished is by the chemical messenger molecules called neurotransmitters. Glutamate plays a prominent role in neurocircuits involved in synaptic plasticity. The ability to strengthen or weaken of a signal between neurons over time to shape learning and memory. And again, this plasticity enables for long term potentiation. The glutamatric system is paramount for fast signaling and information processing in neuronal networks. Glutamate signalling is critical in brain regions including the cortex and hippocampus which are fundamental for cognitive functions. Glutamate receptors are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system, not only in the neurons but also in the Gidda cells. In addition to the improved function of the neurotransmitter, physical activity also influence the hormonal system by releasing hormones and IGF1, the insulin growth factor, VEGF, the vascular endothelial growth factor, FGF2, the fibroblast growth factor. When the working muscle contracts, there is a release of IGF1 which in turn is released in your brain, activating learning and transformation of short term memories into long term memories. It's been suggested that when FGF2 is released in the brain during physical activity, there is an impact upon long term potentiation which aids the tissues within the brain to grow in relationship to the above hormones. Physical activity triggers the input of movement to the hippocampus causing the release of BDNF brain derived neurotropic factors through what's called an insulin irisin hormone which is clevered from what's called the fibonectin type 2 domain containing 5FNDC5 transferable for a transmembrane triggering a protein in the muscle under the control of PGC1. So this fibronectin type 2 domain is also known to be profoundly expressed in many regions of the brain including the cerebral the Pekini cells, the hypothalamus and the hippocampus region of the brain involved in memory and spatial awareness. BDNF has also been known as the miracle grow through its ability in creating new cells within the hippocampus, the region of the brain that builds and maintains our cells as well as sorting and grouping together information to form new neuronal connections. It's now known that neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampus and the layer of cells around the lateral cerebral ventricles and that exercise stimulates the prolification of these cells. These cells sometimes refer to as stem cells and according to research, BDNF is a very important protein ingredient in sprouting new dendrites needed for learning to occur and its crucial biological link between thoughts, emotions and movement and plays an important role in the homeostatic function and survival of the neurons, particularly in the synaptic plasticity of a neurogenesis. So I hope you enjoyed that little see through. Like I say, I hope to do these every week, warts and all. There may be a few coughs, a few sniffles, I may lose my. My line from time to time, but that's. That's what it's about. What's about is listening. Rewinding certain parts, listening again and rewinding. I hope you enjoyed it. I'm still working on my pronunciation. Being dyslexic is not easy when you are trying to pronounce words that you know the ins and outs of in. In your brain, but you just can't get that pronunciation down when you're speaking it. So maybe a few pronunciation issues there. But like I say, this is not about being eyes and teeth and this is just what's in all me speaking my thoughts I put down on paper. So I hope you enjoyed it. As always, keeping it 100% real. No filters, nothing that's going to take away the message of this, of this, these podcasts. So enjoy, have a great day, listen, learn.
Speaker A
It's all free.
Speaker B
Just have you motivated and wanting to do it. Take care and see you all soon.
Topics Covered
Signs of Space Learning
memory and learning
spacing effect
encoding variability hypothesis
long term memory
CREB protein
long term potentiation
physical activity and cognition
neuroplasticity
neurotransmitters
BDNF
exercise and memory
neurogenesis
cognitive functions
brain chemistry
learning behaviors