title: Cholinergic modulation of skill learning and plasticity.
abstract: The basal forebrain cholinergic system strongly influences both cortical plasticity and learning. Directly relating these two roles has proven difficult. New results indicate that nucleus basalis lesions prevent motor cortex map plasticity and impair skill learning. These results strengthen the hypothesis that nucleus basalis gates neural plasticity necessary for instrumental learning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognition and Neuroscience, University of Texas, Dallas, School of Human Development, Gr 41, Richardson, TX 75083, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kilgard
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D020532:Basal Nucleus of Meynert / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000109:Acetylcholine