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Full-Text Articles in Psychology
Paradoxical Reversal Learning Enhancement By Stress Or Prefrontal Cortical Damage: Rescue With Bdnf., Carolyn Graybeal, Michael Feyder, Emily Schulman, Lisa M Saksida, Timothy J Bussey, Jonathan L Brigman, Andrew Holmes
Paradoxical Reversal Learning Enhancement By Stress Or Prefrontal Cortical Damage: Rescue With Bdnf., Carolyn Graybeal, Michael Feyder, Emily Schulman, Lisa M Saksida, Timothy J Bussey, Jonathan L Brigman, Andrew Holmes
Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications
Stress affects various forms of cognition. We found that moderate stress enhanced late reversal learning in a mouse touchscreen-based choice task. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) lesions mimicked the effect of stress, whereas orbitofrontal and dorsolateral striatal lesions impaired reversal. Stress facilitation of reversal was prevented by BDNF infusion into the vmPFC. These findings suggest a mechanism by which stress-induced vmPFC dysfunction disinhibits learning by alternate (for example, striatal) systems.
The Levels Of Analysis Revisited., Scott A Macdougall-Shackleton
The Levels Of Analysis Revisited., Scott A Macdougall-Shackleton
Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications
The term levels of analysis has been used in several ways: to distinguish between ultimate and proximate levels, to categorize different kinds of research questions and to differentiate levels of reductionism. Because questions regarding ultimate function and proximate mechanisms are logically distinct, I suggest that distinguishing between these two levels is the best use of the term. Integrating across levels in research has potential risks, but many benefits. Consideration at one level can help generate novel hypotheses at the other, define categories of behaviour and set criteria that must be addressed. Taking an adaptationist stance thus strengthens research on proximate …