Neurophysiological Research Supporting the Investigation of Adaptive Network Architectures
Abstract
The investigators have shown that single cortical neurons adapt in such a way as to support learned behavior. What is particularly interesting is the indication that purposefully complex, molecular cascades exist at the level of single nerve cells to permit successful adaptions to occur. Successful adaptions are defined as: a) producing the desired alteration of response to the appropriate input, b) enduring over time, c) not interfering with other adaptions occurring for other purpose in the same cell, and d) not interfering with the main-throughput-message transfer property of the nerve cell. The result of these adaptations is to support the operation of a self-organizing information processing system with a high success: error ratio and excellent survivability in the face of substantial environmental change. Changes in the excitability of cortical neurons occur that lead to acquisition of the ability to perform specific motor tasks in response to specific auditory stimuli. Rates of acquiring this ability can be substantially increased by adding electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus associatively, to presentations of conventional conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. Part of this acceleration of learning the motor response may derive from recruitment of a new performance pathway- reflected in a longer transmission latency for movement production. A long range goal of the research is to understand how the system picks the right pathway to give both acceleration and the appropriate learned movement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 14, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA166074
Entities
People
- Charles D. Woody
Organizations
- University of California