Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:50:32 BST CiteULike: brembs's physiology http://www.citeulike.org/user/brembs/tag/physiology CiteULike.org en-gb Copyright © 2004-2008 citeulike.org http://www.citeulike.org/user/brembs/article/877189 <i>Science, Vol. 296, No. 5573. (31 May 2002), pp. 1706-1709.</i><br /><br />Operant conditioning is a form of associative learning through which an animal learns about the consequences of its behavior. Here, we report an appetitive operant conditioning procedure in Aplysia that induces long-term memory. Biophysical changes that accompanied the memory were found in an identified neuron (cell B51) that is considered critical for the expression of behavior that was rewarded. Similar cellular changes in B51 were produced by contingent reinforcement of B51 with dopamine in a single-cell analog of the operant procedure. These findings allow for the detailed analysis of the cellular and molecular processes underlying operant conditioning. Operant reward learning in Aplysia: neuronal correlates and mechanisms. B Brembs FD Lorenzetti FD Reyes DA Baxter JH Byrne doi:10.1126/science.1069434 Science, Vol. 296, No. 5573. (31 May 2002), pp. 1706-1709. 2006-09-29T06:48:42-00:00 2002 Science 1095-9203 296 5573 1706 1709 aplysia conditioning learning memory neurobiology neuroscience operant physiology slug snail http://www.citeulike.org/user/brembs/article/877187 <i>Learn Mem, Vol. 11, No. 4. (g 2004), pp. 412-420.</i><br /><br />Operant and classical conditioning are major processes shaping behavioral responses in all animals. Although the understanding of the mechanisms of classical conditioning has expanded significantly, the understanding of the mechanisms of operant conditioning is more limited. Recent developments in Aplysia are helping to narrow the gap in the level of understanding between operant and classical conditioning, and have raised the possibility of studying the neuronal processes underlying the interaction of operant and classical components in a relatively complex learning task. In the present study, we describe a first step toward realizing this goal, by developing a single in vitro preparation in which both operant and classical conditioning can be studied concurrently. The new paradigm reproduced previously published results, even under more conservative and homogenous selection criteria and tonic stimulation regime. Moreover, the observed learning was resistant to delay, shortening, and signaling of reinforcement. Extending in vitro conditioning in Aplysia to analyze operant and classical processes in the same preparation. B Brembs DA Baxter JH Byrne doi:10.1101/lm.74404 Learn Mem, Vol. 11, No. 4. (g 2004), pp. 412-420. 2006-09-29T06:48:39-00:00 2004 Learn Mem 1072-0502 11 4 412 420 aplysia conditioning learning memory neurobiology neuroscience operant physiology slug snail