Ontogenetic changes in the neural mechanisms of eyeblink conditioning

2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Freeman ◽  
Daniel A. Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Eyeblink Conditioning ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Ontogenetic Changes

scholarly journals Purkinje cell activity during classical conditioning with different conditional stimuli explains central tenet of Rescorla–Wagner model

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (45) ◽  
pp. 14060-14065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Rasmussen ◽  
Riccardo Zucca ◽  
Fredrik Johansson ◽  
Dan-Anders Jirenhed ◽  
Germund Hesslow
Keyword(s):  
Purkinje Cell ◽  
Purkinje Cells ◽  
Compound Stimulus ◽  
Eyeblink Conditioning ◽  
Unconditional Stimulus ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Wagner Model ◽  
Central Tenet ◽  
Reinforcement Value

A central tenet of Rescorla and Wagner’s model of associative learning is that the reinforcement value of a paired trial diminishes as the associative strength between the presented stimuli increases. Despite its fundamental importance to behavioral sciences, the neural mechanisms underlying the model have not been fully explored. Here, we present findings that, taken together, can explain why a stronger association leads to a reduced reinforcement value, within the context of eyeblink conditioning. Specifically, we show that learned pause responses in Purkinje cells, which trigger adaptively timed conditioned eyeblinks, suppress the unconditional stimulus (US) signal in a graded manner. Furthermore, by examining how Purkinje cells respond to two distinct conditional stimuli and to a compound stimulus, we provide evidence that could potentially help explain the somewhat counterintuitive overexpectation phenomenon, which was derived from the Rescorla–Wagner model.

scholarly journals Impact of parallel fiber to Purkinje cell long-term depression is unmasked in absence of inhibitory input

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. eaas9426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk-Jan Boele ◽  
Saša Peter ◽  
Michiel M. Ten Brinke ◽  
Lucas Verdonschot ◽  
Anna C. H. IJpelaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Purkinje Cell ◽  
Eyeblink Conditioning ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Parallel Fiber ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Inhibitory Input ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Feed Forward Inhibition

Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning has been used extensively to study the neural mechanisms underlying associative and motor learning. During this simple learning task, memory formation takes place at Purkinje cells in defined areas of the cerebellar cortex, which acquire a strong temporary suppression of their activity during conditioning. Yet, it is unknown which neuronal plasticity mechanisms mediate this suppression. Two potential mechanisms include long-term depression of parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapses and feed-forward inhibition by molecular layer interneurons. We show, using a triple transgenic approach, that only concurrent disruption of both these suppression mechanisms can severely impair conditioning, highlighting that both processes can compensate for each other’s deficits.

Concurrent Electrodermal and Eyeblink Conditioning With Masked and Unmasked Stimuli

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
José Luis Marcos ◽  
Azahara Marcos
Keyword(s):  
Unconditioned Stimulus ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Eyeblink Conditioning ◽  
Noise Burst ◽  
Conditioning Phase ◽  
Contingency Awareness ◽  
Blank Screen ◽  
Neutral Face ◽  
Fearful Face

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine if contingency awareness between the conditioned (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US) is necessary for concurrent electrodermal and eyeblink conditioning to masked stimuli. An angry woman’s face (CS+) and a fearful face (CS−) were presented for 23 milliseconds (ms) and followed by a neutral face as a mask. A 98 dB noise burst (US) was administered 477 ms after CS+ offset to elicit both electrodermal and eyeblink responses. For the unmasking conditioning a 176 ms blank screen was inserted between the CS and the mask. Contingency awareness was assessed using trial-by-trial ratings of US-expectancy in a post-conditioning phase. The results showed acquisition of differential electrodermal and eyeblink conditioning in aware, but not in unaware participants. Acquisition of differential eyeblink conditioning required more trials than electrodermal conditioning. These results provided strong evidence of the causal role of contingency awareness on differential eyeblink and electrodermal conditioning.

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