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Hebbian-like functional plasticity in the auditory cortex of the behaving monkey
E Ahissar1, M Abeles, M Ahissar
1Department of Neurobiology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. bnehud@weizmann.weizmann.ac.il
Neuropharmacology
|August 15, 1998
Summary
Functional plasticity, the modification of neural activity correlations, critically depends on behavioral context. Changes in neural correlation, not its level, drive plasticity, highlighting behavior
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Cortex Research
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- In vitro studies provided mechanisms for synaptic plasticity but lacked in vivo functionality.
- In vivo studies often focused on single-cell responses, neglecting neuronal interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conditions for lasting functional plasticity in the behaving brain.
- To combine in vitro and in vivo approaches for studying neuronal plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous extracellular recording of multiple single cells in the auditory cortex of a behaving monkey.
- Measuring spike-time correlations to estimate neuronal interaction efficacy.
- Applying acoustic stimuli during an auditory discrimination task and during rest.
Main Results:
- Functional plasticity is driven by changes in neural correlation, not the absolute correlation or covariance.
- Functional plasticity is critically dependent on the animal's behavior.
- Behavioral engagement led to short-lasting strengthening or weakening of neuronal coupling based on correlation changes.
Conclusions:
- Neuronal plasticity in the auditory cortex follows a Hebbian associative rule under behavioral control.
- Thorndike's "Law of Effect" principles are applicable to neuronal plasticity.
- Behavioral state is essential for regulating functional plasticity.