Learning to learn: theta oscillations predict new learning, which enhances related learning and neurogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Animals in the natural world continuously encounter learning experiences of varying degrees of novelty. New neurons in the hippocampus are especially responsive to learning associations between novel events and more cells survive if a novel and challenging task is learned. One might wonder whether new neurons would be rescued from death upon each new learning experience or whether there is an internal control system that limits the number of cells that are retained as a function of learning. In this experiment, it was hypothesized that learning a task that was similar in content to one already learned previously would not increase cell survival. We further hypothesized that in situations in which the cells are rescued hippocampal theta oscillations (3-12 Hz) would be involved and perhaps n

SUBMITTER: Nokia MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3277498 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature