A computational model of how cholinergic interneurons protect striatal-dependent learning.
An essential component of skill acquisition is learning the environmental conditions in which that skill is relevant. This article proposes and tests a neurobiologically detailed theory of how such learning is mediated. The theory assumes that a key component of this learning is provided by the cholinergic interneurons in the striatum known as tonically active neurons (TANs). The TANs are assumed to exert a tonic inhibitory influence over cortical inputs to the striatum that prevents the execution of any striatal-dependent actions. The TANs learn to pause in rewarding environments, and this pause releases the striatal output neurons from this inhibitory effect, thereby facilitating the learning and expression of striatal-dependent behaviors. When rewards are no longer available, the TANs cease to pause, which protects striatal learning from decay. A computational version of this theory accounts for a variety of single-cell recording data and some classic behavioral phenomena, including fast reacquisition after extinction.
Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. ashby@psych.ucsb.edu
F Gregory
FG
Ashby
Matthew J
MJ
Crossley
D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000502:physiology; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological