Dopamine's Effects on Learning and Memory: Eric Marr at TEDxCCS

In this talk, Eric Marr explains the benefits on memory of releasing dopamine when learning.

Everyone has something
that motivates them.

For some people
it's money.

For some,
it may be recognition,

and others,
maybe chocolate.

If you're one
of my research animals,

it's the beloved Froot Loop.

They absolutely love
these as treats.

They're easy for them
to put in their mouth,

and most importantly,

they're packed with sugar.

In our lab, we study
the brain chemical dopamine.

Dopamine is involved in movement,

most notably implicated
in Parkinson's disease,

motivation and reward.

We study dopamine

in relation to learning
and memory tasks.

Our rats learn
to run in a maze,

and if they complete
the task correctly,

they receive
a food reward at the end.

We study and record
when dopamine is released

as the rats are completing
this task.

Look, he is even smiling!
(Laughter)

Dopamine helps activate
the learning centers in the brain.

So if dopamine is released

as you're learning something,

it will help you
remember that information

at a later date.

For example,

I had a chemistry professor
on the very first day of class,

do an intense reaction
with lots of flames and smoke.

He then explained

how and why this chemical
reaction took place.

This reaction was done

just using regular
tap water and sodium.

After he explained
how this reaction worked,

I'll never forget exactly

how those electrons
are moved in that reaction.

It is likely that as this reaction
was taking place,

dopamine was being released
in my brain.

Of course, since I don't have
any of our lab's electrodes

placed in my brain,
we won't know for sure.

On the left
is a picture of the electrodes

we build in our lab.

The electrode end consists
of a single strand of carbon fiber.

It's about one-tenth the diameter
of the strand of human hair.

We then implant these electrodes

in freely moving animals,

and record
when dopamine is released,

as they complete maze tasks.

As you can see,

the rat brain is very small.

It's about the size of a nickel.

And the area of the brain
that we're trying to reach,

is about the size of a pea.

We implant these electrodes
in an area of the brain,

that's known to have
a high number of dopamine neurons.

One of my main hobbies
is photography.

So,
for the background of my talk,

I thought I would take you
all on a tour of my lab,

by way of my photography.

These are just
a few of the things

we use in our lab

to help us record dopamine.

So what can we do
to increase dopamine in our brain?

Exercise, is a great way
to increase dopamine.

Exercise will increase
dopamine release in your brain,

as well as other neurochemicals,

such as endorphins

which are the brain's
natural painkillers.

Eating properly,

is another great way
to increase dopamine.

Specifically,
eating foods rich in tyrosine,

which is a precursor to dopamine,

will help, increase the available
dopamine in the brain.

Foods rich in tyrosine

include things such as: Avocados,

almonds and bananas.

Another great way
to release dopamine,

is doing something
rewarding to you.

This can be something

as easy as checking something
off your to-do list,

or perhaps volunteering
at a community center.

And of course,

one of my personal favorite ways,
to increase dopamine,

is sex.
(Laughter)

Sex releases many beneficial
chemicals in the brain

in addition to dopamine,

such as oxytocin,

which is implicated
in human bonding.

Serotonin,

which relates to happiness
and a feeling of well-being.

And norepinephrine,

which increases alertness.

So how can we use
this information?

Professors can develop
new and exciting ways,

to deliver information to students.

It doesn't have
to be as exciting

as involving flames and explosions

like my chemistry professor.

It can be as simple as

having students
do a hands-on experience,

or perhaps using
the students as props

to explain a difficult concept.

Professors, get away
from the traditional monologue lectures.

It'll be more rewarding
for you,

and will stimulate the students
to promote long-term learning.

Let's get
those dopamine neurons firing.

Thank you.
(Applause)