Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025
05:05
Assessing Corticospinal Excitability During Goal-Directed Reaching Behavior
Published on: December 2, 2022
1.7K
Learning within a sensory-motor circuit links action to expected outcome
WenXi Zhou1, David M Schneider1
1Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, 10012.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|February 19, 2024
Summary
The auditory cortex learns to predict sound consequences of movement. This brain region is essential for forming expectations and detecting prediction errors, reshaping neural activity during behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Cortex Function
- Predictive Processing
Background:
- The auditory cortex integrates sensory and motor information to predict acoustic outcomes of behavior.
- Understanding the specific neural circuits for auditory prediction and expectation remains a challenge.
Approach:
- Utilized closed-loop behavior, electrophysiology, pharmacology, and optogenetics.
- Investigated the auditory cortex's role in forming and recalling auditory expectations.
- Mapped the emergence of movement-related expectation and sound-related error signals.
Key Points:
- Expectation and error signals arise in distinct auditory cortex neurons, suggesting compartmentalization.
- The auditory cortex is crucial for learning predictive relationships between motor actions and sounds.
- Prediction-like signals can be induced in the auditory cortex via optogenetic stimulation, independent of behavioral experience.
Conclusions:
- The auditory cortex acts as a necessary hub for learning predictive processing.
- Neural population dynamics in the auditory cortex encode movement and sound in a manner consistent with predictive coding.
- These findings reveal a specific cortical locus for expectation and error signal generation.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Purposive Learning
121
E. C. Tolman emphasized the purposiveness of behavior — the idea that much of our behavior is goal-directed. For instance, employees who aim for a promotion work diligently to meet their targets. Tolman argued that when classical conditioning and operant conditioning occur, the organism acquires certain expectations. In classical conditioning, a child might fear a dog because they expect it to bite. In operant conditioning, a person might consistently work overtime because they expect a...
121
01:21Cognitive Learning
243
Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
243
01:25Neural Circuits
1.2K
Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
1.2K
01:27Associative Learning
362
Associative learning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, wherein a connection is established between two stimuli or events, leading to a learned response. This process is critical in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified. Conditioning, the mechanism through which associations are formed, can be divided into two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, each elucidating different aspects of associative learning.
Classical conditioning, also known...
Classical conditioning, also known...
362
01:06Law of Effect
1.4K
B.F. Skinner, a prominent figure in behavioral psychology, introduced operant conditioning by emphasizing the role of consequences in shaping behavior. This theory builds upon the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated. In contrast, those followed by unsatisfying outcomes are less likely to recur.
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle...
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle...
1.4K
01:18Introduction to Learning
393
Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge or skills through practice or experience, leading to long-lasting behavioral changes. This acquisition occurs through interaction with the environment and requires practice or experience. For instance, mastering a skill such as surfing requires considerable practice and experience, highlighting the essential role of repeated interactions with the environment in learning.
In contrast to learned behaviors, unlearned behaviors such as crying, sexual...
In contrast to learned behaviors, unlearned behaviors such as crying, sexual...
393