Which memory phenomenon relates to incrementally increased responses due to frequent stimulation of the same neurons?

Prepare for the UWorld Behavioral Science Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, featuring hints and in-depth explanations. Master the exam and boost your confidence!

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a process that enhances the synaptic strength of connections between neurons through repeated stimulation. This phenomenon occurs when specific pathways are activated frequently, resulting in the neurons becoming more responsive to subsequent stimuli. As a result, the efficiency of synaptic transmission increases, leading to a gradual enhancement of signal transmission. This is crucial for learning and memory, as it allows for the retention of information and the formation of memories through strengthened neural connections.

In contrast, sensory memory pertains to the initial, brief retention of sensory information, echoic memory is a subset of sensory memory that specifically involves auditory information, and priming refers to the increased efficiency in processing a stimulus due to prior exposure to related stimuli. While these concepts are related to memory function, they do not specifically describe the incremental increase in responses due to stimulation of the same neurons that long-term potentiation encapsulates. Thus, long-term potentiation is the most accurate answer in this context.

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