Cerebellum-dependent learning: the role of multiple plasticity mechanisms.

Full Abstract

The cerebellum is an evolutionarily conserved structure critical for motor learning in vertebrates. The model that has influenced much of the work in the field for the past 30 years suggests that motor learning is mediated by a single plasticity mechanism in the cerebellum: long-term depression (LTD) of parallel fiber synapses onto Purkinje cells. However, recent studies of simple behaviors such as the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) indicate that multiple plasticity mechanisms contribute to cerebellum-dependent learning. Multiple plasticity mechanisms may provide the flexibility required to store memories over different timescales, regulate the dynamics of movement, and allow bidirectional changes in movement amplitude. These plasticity mechanisms must act in combination with appropriate information-coding strategies to equip motor-learning systems with the ability to express learning in correct contexts. Studies of the patterns of generalization of motor learning in the VOR provide insight about the coding of information in neurons at sites of plasticity. These principles emerging from studies of the VOR are consistent with results concerning more complex behaviors and thus may reflect general principles of cerebellar function.

Author information

Author/s: Boyden, Edward S (ES); Katoh, Akira (A); Raymond, Jennifer L (JL);

Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA. boyden(-atsign-)stanford.edu

Grants: R01 DC04154 (Agency:NIDCD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review

Journal: Annual review of neuroscience (Annu Rev Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-; vol 27 (issue ) : pp 581-609

Dates: Created 2004/06/25; Completed 2004/10/13; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 15217344, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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