A mechanism for savings in the cerebellum.
The phenomenon of savings (the ability to relearn faster than the first time) is a familiar property of many learning systems. The utility of savings makes its underlying mechanisms of special interest. We used a combination of computer simulations and reversible lesions to investigate mechanisms of savings that operate in the cerebellum during eyelid conditioning, a well characterized form of motor learning. The results suggest that a site of plasticity outside the cerebellar cortex (possibly in the cerebellar nucleus) can be protected from the full consequences of extinction and that the residual plasticity that remains can later contribute to the savings seen during relearning.
Medina
J F
JF
W. M. Keck Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, and Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Garcia
K S
KS
Mauk
M D
MD
D000818:Animals; D002529:Cerebellar Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003215:Conditioning, Eyelid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008845:Microinjections; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011817:Rabbits; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D010852:Picrotoxin