Remodeling the cortex in memory: Increased use of a learning strategy increases the representational area of relevant acoustic cues.

ABSTRACT: Associative learning induces plasticity in the representation of sensory information in sensory cortices. Such high-order associative representational plasticity (HARP) in the primary auditory cortex (A1) is a likely substrate of auditory memory: it is specific, rapidly acquired, long-lasting and consolidates. Because HARP is likely to support the detailed content of memory, it is important to identify the necessary behavioral factors that dictate its induction. Learning strategy is a critical factor for the induction of plasticity (Bieszczad & Weinberger, 2010b). Specifically, use of a strategy that relies on tone onsets induces HARP in A1 in the form of signal-specific decreased threshold and bandwidth. The present study tested the hypothesis that the form and degree of HARP in A1 reflec

SUBMITTER: Bieszczad KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2922489 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature