Changes of membrane currents during learning.
The integrated response of a population of neurones during conditioning results in long-term (days) changes of specific membrane currents within identified neurones. Prolonged elevation of intracellular calcium during conditioning causes a persistent increase of excitability by reducing K+ currents (IA and probably ICa2+-K+) in the membranes of identified somata. This Ca2+-mediated reduction of K+ currents, which encodes a learned stimulus association is thought to involve changes of Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of distinct membrane proteins. These changes are contrasted with the short-term regulation of currents by neurohormones during altered behavioural states such as arousal.
D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation
D007473:Ion Channels; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents