C - LEARNING

Learning context dependent behavior: neural and synaptic mechanisms

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Understanding how cognitive functions are implemented by biophysical processes in the brain is one of the most important and challenging goals of neuroscience. In the recent years, significant progress has been achieved by developing theoretical models for neural correlates of decision making, working memory, attention and representation of emotional value. These models were based on experimental evidence and they provided us with the basic building blocks for the study of more complex cognitive tasks. Many of such cognitive tasks can be described as context-dependent behavior: while the outcome of most cognitive operations is an association between a sensory stimulus and a motor reaction, this association is in general not unique, but depends on the cognitive context. Indeed the response to the stimulus can depend on the recent history of experiences, the goal, the motivation of the subject, the environment and other factors. The aim of this project is to develop a biologically realistic theoretical framework for context dependent behavior and, in particular, for the formation of the neural representations of the context. We intend to characterize the dynamical properties of the patterns of neural activities that encode the context, understand how they emerge from the temporal contiguity between task relevant events and determine the scaling properties of networks that implement context dependent behavior. The theoretical framework will be used to build a novel model for the formation of context-dependent emotional value of sensory stimuli. The predictions of this model will be confronted with the available experimental data, and will allow us to validate the model. The proposed theoretical studies should lead to the understanding of the general principles underlying the formation of new mental states representing the most general form of context, that includes emotional states, intentionality and motivation.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Behaviour is predominantly dependent on context and varies according to the situation. Current research is investigating how the biophysics and chemistry of the brain reflects this context-dependent behaviour.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Understanding how cognitive functions like memory and decision making are implemented by the biophysical processes in the brain is a very challenging area of neuroscience. Models have been developed recently from experimental evidence that reflect neural processes that result in decision making, memory and attention, for example.

Many of these cognitive tasks can be described as context-dependent; that is, the response to the stimulus depends on factors like the goal, experience and motivation. The 'Learning context dependent behavior: neural and synaptic mechanisms' (C - Learning) project has just completed an investigation to develop a biologically realistic theoretical framework for context-dependent behaviour.

C - Learning tested the model using experiments employing electrophysiology and a context-dependent trace-conditioning task with monkeys. Trace conditioning involves presentation of a conditioned (learned) stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus separated by a period of time.

Project scientists developed a model based on the ability of populations of nerve synapses being able to encode the time interval between successive events. This is due to the fact that junctions between neurons possess a finite number of states. Furthermore, C - Learning showed that the monkeys behaved in a context-dependent way and identified the specific neural substrates for that behaviour.

Extension of the research is expected to show that the neural biophysics behind context-dependent behaviour is a function of the general plasticity of synapses.

Project scientists also aim to identify regions in the cortex responsible for context-dependent behaviour which could shed light on related pathologies as well as understanding of mental states such as intention and motivation.