Macaque parvocellular mediodorsal thalamus: dissociable contributions to learning and adaptive decision-making.

ABSTRACT: Distributed brain networks govern adaptive decision-making, new learning and rapid updating of information. However, the functional contribution of the rhesus macaque monkey parvocellular nucleus of the mediodorsal thalamus (MDpc) in these key higher cognitive processes remains unknown. This study investigated the impact of MDpc damage in cognition. Preoperatively, animals were trained on an object-in-place scene discrimination task that assesses rapid learning of novel information within each session. Bilateral neurotoxic (NMDA and ibotenic acid) MDpc lesions did not impair new learning unless the monkey had also sustained damage to the magnocellular division of the MD (MDmc). Contralateral unilateral MDpc and MDmc damage also impaired new learning, while selective unilateral MDmc damage

SUBMITTER: Chakraborty S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6519510 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature