Non-synaptic neuronal mechanisms of learning and memory in gastropod molluscs.
Gastropod molluscs provide important model systems for investigating the behavioral and neural basis of associative and non-associative learning. Habituation, sensitization, classical and operant conditioning are studied in motor reflex and central pattern generator circuits. Although synaptic plasticity has long been recognized as playing a key role in molluscan learning circuits, non-synaptic changes resulting in alterations in the excitability of neurons are increasingly recognized as an essential component of the memory trace.
Sussex Centre for Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK. p.r.benjamin@sussex.ac.uk
Paul R
PR
Benjamin
György
G
Kemenes
Ildikó
I
Kemenes
D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000502:physiology; D049851:Gastropoda / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008195:Lymnaea / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008974:Mollusca / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology