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PubMed · 11325344

Low-threshold N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function correlates negatively with learning.

P M Bradley·B D Burns·A C Webb
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Abstract

The intermediate, medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) is an area of the forebrain of the domestic chick which exhibits great plasticity. Moreover, there is a strong link between plasticity in the IMHV and specific changes in behaviour. The IMHV in vitro is still plastic, and many of its physiological properties are age-dependent, peaking in slices taken from 3- or 4-day-old birds. This 'window' coincides with an important transitional period in a chick's normal behavioural development. It has also been claimed that reversal training is at its most effective in 3- and 4-day-old birds - a proposition which was confirmed by the experiments reported here. A combination of in vivo training followed by in vitro electrophysiology also revealed that the function of low-threshold N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (one of the age-related variables) is negatively related to the effectiveness of reversal training, when age is held constant.

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Age FactorsAnimalsAvoidance LearningBasal GangliaChickensElectrophysiologyImprinting, PsychologicalLearningNerve Tissue ProteinsNeuronal PlasticityReceptors, N-Methyl-D-AspartateSingle-Blind MethodJournal Article

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P M Bradley, B D Burns, A C Webb. 2001-05-04. Low-threshold N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function correlates negatively with learning.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-8993(01)02172-2

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