X-Message-Number: 3558
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 22:44:18 -0800
From: John K Clark <>
Subject: SCI.CRYONICS LTP and memory

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In Message: #3549   (Thomas Donaldson) Wrote: 

	> LTP itself is probably not the final form of memory storage,
	>which is what we want for our long term memory. It
	>certainly plays a crucial role, but think: if it did not
	>disappear, after a while all our synapses will have
	>gone through LTP and we will not be able to learn a thing. 

It could turn out that LTP is not the final form of memory
storage but whatever mechanism it turns out to be, I feal
confident in saying it will not have infinite capacity. For this
reason I don't think your argument that LTP storage is finite so
it can't be the basis of memory is valid. Also I think LTP often
does disappear after a while but then most of our memories disappear 
after a while.
		    
	    >And that while won't be very long
		    
I don't think we can state that with much confidence because we
really don't know how much working memory a human being needs in
order to function. I'm being very speculative here but I wonder
if lack of storage space is one reason older people have a
harder time learning things than younger people. 
		    
	   > if every synapse can only do it once.
		    
I've never heard that it's impossible for a synapse to undergo
LTP twice in a lifetime.
		    
	> LTP involves only reactions between biochemicals
	>already existing at the synapses.
		 
That I didn't know. Do you have a reference?
		 
			       John K Clark           

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