Olga Svarnik - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Olga Svarnik
Voprosy Psikhologii, 2015
Èksperimentalʹnaâ psihologiâ, 2022
It has been repeatedly shown in animals that during periods of their relative motor inactivity (b... more It has been repeatedly shown in animals that during periods of their relative motor inactivity (between runs, for example, or when the pace slows down), there is reactivation of specific sequences of activity of the same neurons and in the same order (sometimes in exactly the opposite order) as in the process of actually performing behavioral acts. Such reactivations were called “replays”. Similar neuronal reactivations in the brain are observed during periods of sleep, that is often associated with the presence of dreams and the phenomenon of “improving” memory. Initially, such “spontaneous” reactivations were demonstrated in the hippocampus for neurons specific in their activity in relation to various places. Later it turned out that the same thing is found in the cortex and in subcortical structures, for example, in the striatum. The phenomenon of neuronal replays presumably underlies the reorganization and consolidation of memory (i.e. its stabilization). “Spontaneous” reactivations are also observed immediately before the performance of a particular behavior and, apparently, underlie selection for future behavior during decision-making. The data presented in this review suggest that what is considered “spontaneous” brain activity is a natural process of continuous updating of existing elements of individual experience for future interactions in the environment. Brain activity is a continuous change of active neuronal groups, and the frequency of “spontaneous” replays, presumably, depends on the time that has elapsed since the appearance of exactly such a combination of neurons during the consolidation and reconsolidation of memory. The study of “spontaneous” brain activations is a relatively new field of neuroscience, and their nature and significance require further research.
Psikhologicheskii Zhurnal, 2015
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Mar 17, 2019
Обзор посвящен интегративным функциям ретросплениальной коры, значительная доля нейронов которой ... more Обзор посвящен интегративным функциям ретросплениальной коры, значительная доля нейронов которой обладает специализацией относительно положения и перемещения организма в пространстве. Разбираются современные данные об анатомии и связях ретросплениальной коры у крыс, а также о поведенческой специализации ее нейронов, обнаруженной с помощью мультиэлектродной регистрации клеточной активности. Паттерн связей ретросплениальной коры позволяет рассматривать ее как своеобразное связующее звено между областями мозга, специфически ответственными за пространственную навигацию, и ассоциативными областями коры, не имеющими пространственной настройки. Этой уникальной особенностью анатомических связей ретросплениальной коры, по-видимому, объясняется присутствие в ней нейронов не только с пространственными, но и с более сложными поведенческими специализациями, которые рассмотрены в данном обзоре. Подобные сложно специализированные клетки, вероятно, должны ассоциировать комбинацию пространственной и непространственной информации, и раскрытие механизмов этой ассоциации может привнести новое в понимание принципов организации когнитивных функций коры головного мозга.
Experimental Psychology, 2011
Данная работа была посвящена исследованию механизмов приобретения навыков одно-и многоэтапным спо... more Данная работа была посвящена исследованию механизмов приобретения навыков одно-и многоэтапным способами. Мы проанализировали наличие связи между характеристиками реорганизации предыдущего опыта (оцененного по нейрогенетическим изменениям) при обучении навыку на новой стороне экспериментальной клетки и числом этапов предварительного обучения. В ходе экспериментального исследования проводилось обучение животных двух групп одному и тому же поведению разными способами-в один или несколько этапов, затем доучивание животных обеих групп этому навыку на другой стороне экспериментальной клетки. Оценка числа нейронов, подвергающихся изменению экспресии генов, проводилась по наличию транскрипционного фактора белка c-Fos. Несмотря на то, что животные обеих групп демонстрировали сходное поведение во время обучения на новой стороне экспериментальной клетки, число нейронов, вовлеченных в перестройки экспрессии генов, у них достоверно различалось. Таким образом, было продемонстрировано, что процессы аккомодационной реконсолидации (реорганизация уже существующего индивидуального опыта) при дополнительном обучении зависят от предварительной истории обучения.
Izvestiya VUZ. Applied Nonlinear Dynamics
Purpose of this review is to consider the possibility to apply the integrated information theory ... more Purpose of this review is to consider the possibility to apply the integrated information theory to investigate the brain neural activity. Earlier was shown that the integrated information amount Φ quantifies a degree of a dynamic complexity of a system and able to predict a level of its success defined by classic observable benchmarks. For this reason, a question arises about the application of the integrated information theory to analyse changes in brain spiking activity due the acquisition of new experience. Conclusion. The bases of the integrated information theory and its possible application in neurobiology to investigate the process of new experience acquisition were reviewed. It was shown that the amount of integrated information Φ is a metric which is able to quantify the dynamic complexity of brain neural networks increasing when the new experience is acquired. Methods, enaabling the practical calculation of Φ for spiking data, were proposed.
Brain Sciences, May 3, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Psikhologicheskii zhurnal
Biophysics
Abstract — One of the approaches to quantifying the complexity of systems is integrated informati... more Abstract — One of the approaches to quantifying the complexity of systems is integrated information theory, as a mathematically complicated measure of how much “integrated information” a system possesses; it has been initially proposed to calculate how much consciousness a neural system has. In this study, we used this approach to assess whether there are any differences in hippocampal neural activity during skill acquisition of various degrees of difficulty. It was found that the value of the integrated information index, Φ, increased with the progress in the task. Moreover, Φ changed with an interval of 3–4 days until the animal was able to perform the skill. The results we obtained indicate that temporary abnormal neural activity (the temporary disorganization of the system state) is an essential stage in reorganization of neural activity that contributes to the achievement of a goal for the entire body.
Zhurnal vyssheĭ nervnoĭ deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova
In this work we aimed to create a controlled history of two sequential trainings in order to find... more In this work we aimed to create a controlled history of two sequential trainings in order to find out activation patterns of "the first task" neurons during the second task learning. Rats were first trained to perform instrumental water rewarded behavior that required using left or right whiskers (a conditioned "whisking" task), and then to perform food-acquisition task of pedal pressing (not a conditioned "whisking" task). We found that food-acquisition task learning is accompanied by c-Fos induction in the barrel cortex neurons in animals that learned previously a conditioned "whisking" task. These data suggest that c-Fos induction during the second training took place in neurons that were specialized in relation to the first, "whisking" task.
Experimental Psychology (Russia), 2020
The article presents data on the study of neurogenetic changes in the rat brain and the features ... more The article presents data on the study of neurogenetic changes in the rat brain and the features of performing various behavioral acts during acquisition of a food-acquisition skill, depending on the actualization of the previously acquired skill. The experiments involved 13 animals who were successively trained in the following behaviors: new context in the open field test, new objects in the object preference test, drinking behavior using a vibrissal pad, and food-acquisition behavior of pressing the pedal. It turned out that the nature of motor activity and the severity of neurogenetic changes during learning a new skill in individuals who immediately before this training occurred short-term actualization of the experience formed at one of the previous stages of training, significantly differed from the same parameters in individuals who did not have such actualization. It is suggested that the actualization of previously formed experience before new training contributes to the f...
International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education (IJCRSEE)
One of the ways to comprehend mental abilities of individuals is to examine their underlying neur... more One of the ways to comprehend mental abilities of individuals is to examine their underlying neural processes and mechanisms. To explore the role of cingulate cortical neurons in “mental rehearsal“ immediately before every trial of appetitive instrumental task in well-trained animals, we analyzed recorded single-unit activity in relation to the task-relevant events during task trials and during delay periods inside each trial in the same animals. The results showed that neuronal activity in the rabbit posterior cingulate cortex during the delay consisted mostly of activity of those neurons which were specialized in relation to this task, though the delay periods were not intended to remember previous events. The data indicated that these neuronal groups are involved in the processes of unfolding planned future behavior. Sequences of neuronal events during the delay period (i.e. during” covert behavior” phase), used for decision making, depended on the role of neuron in overt behavio...
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
Background: The goal of the brain is to provide right on time a suitable earlier-acquired model f... more Background: The goal of the brain is to provide right on time a suitable earlier-acquired model for the future behavior. How a complex structure of neuronal activity underlying a suitable model is selected or fixated is not well understood. Here we propose the integrated information Φ as a possible metric for such complexity of neuronal groups. It quantifies the degree of information integration between different parts of the brain and is lowered when there is a lack of connectivity between different subsets in a system. Methods: We calculated integrated information coefficient (Φ) for activity of hippocampal and amygdala neurons in rats during acquisition of two tasks: spatial task followed by spatial aversive task. An Autoregressive Φ algorithm was used for time-series spike data. Results: We showed that integrated information coefficient Φ is positively correlated with a metric of learning success (a relative number of rewards). Φ for hippocampal neurons was positively correlated with Φ for amygdalar neurons during the learning requiring the cooperative work of hippocampus and amygdala. Conclusions: This result suggests that integrated information coefficient Φ may be used as a prediction tool for the suitable level of complexity of neuronal activity and the future success in learning and adaptation and a tool for estimation of interactions between different brain regions during learning.
Journal of Analytical Psychology, 2020
As shown in our previous paper ('Regression I. Experimental approaches to regression', JAP, 65, 2... more As shown in our previous paper ('Regression I. Experimental approaches to regression', JAP, 65, 2, 345-65), the common mechanism of regression can be described as reversible dedifferentiation, which is understood as a relative increase of the proportion of low-differentiated (older) systems in actualized experience. Experimental data show that regression following disease (chronic tension headache) is followed by adaptation and an increase in system differentiation in that experience domain which contains systems responsible for that adaptation. The results of mathematical modelling support the idea that reversible dedifferentiation can be one of the mechanisms for increasing the effectiveness of adaptation through learning. Reversible dedifferentiation, which is phenomenologically described as regression, is a general mechanism for restructuring the organism-environment interactions in situations where behaviours that were effective in the past become ineffective. Reversible dedifferentiation has evolved as a component of adaptation when new behaviours are formed and large-scale modifications in the existing behaviours are required in the face of changes in the external and/or internal environment. Thus, the authors believe that this article provides evidence for Jung's view that regression is not only a 'return' to past forms of thinking, affects and behaviour, but that regressive processes provide a significant impetus for psychological growth and development.
International Journal of Psychophysiology, 2018
Journal of Analytical Psychology, 2020
The concept of regression is considered with an emphasis on the differences between the positions... more The concept of regression is considered with an emphasis on the differences between the positions of Freud and Jung regarding its significance. The paper discusses the results of experimental analyses of individual experience dynamics (from gene expression changes and impulse neuronal activity in animals to prosocial behaviour in healthy humans at different ages, and humans in chronic pain) in those situations where regression occurs: stress, disease, learning, highly emotional states and alcohol intoxication. Common mechanisms of regression in all these situations are proposed. The mechanisms of regression can be described as reversible dedifferentiation, which is understood as a relative increase of the representation of low-differentiated (older) systems in the actualized experience. In all of the cases of dedifferentiation mentioned above, the complexity of the systemic organization of behaviour significantly decreases.
Advances in neurobiology, 2018
Despite the years of studies in the field of systems neuroscience, functions of neural circuits a... more Despite the years of studies in the field of systems neuroscience, functions of neural circuits and behavior-related systems are still not entirely clear. The systems description of brain activity has recently been associated with cognitive concepts, e.g. a cognitive map, reconstructed via place-cell activity analysis and the like, and a cognitive schema, modeled in consolidation research. The issue we find of importance is that a cognitive unit reconstructed in neuroscience research is mainly formulated in terms of environment. In other words, the individual experience is considered as a model or reflection of the outside world and usually lacks a biological meaning, such as describing a given part of the world for the individual. In this chapter, we present the idea of a cognitive component that serves as a model of behavioral interaction with environment, rather than a model of the environment itself. This intangible difference entails the need in substantial revision of several ...
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, 2015
We report here studies in which a controlled history of sequential learning of two skills was cre... more We report here studies in which a controlled history of sequential learning of two skills was created with the aim of identifying the pattern of activation of neurons for the fi rst skill on formation of the second. Animals were initially trained to an operant drinking behavior requiring use of the whiskers on the left or right side (a "whisker-dependent" skill), which was followed by training to a food-procuring pedal-pressing skill not requiring use of the whiskers. The results showed that training to a food-procuring skill induced c-Fos expression in a signifi cantly larger number of neurons in the barrel fi eld in animals previously trained to the operant drinking (whisker-dependent) skill than in the analogous area of control animals previously trained to a non-operant drinking skill. Our data suggest that activation of c-Fos expression on repeat training also occurred in those neurons which had already become specialized in relation to the fi rst, whisker-dependent, skill.
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, 2015
To address the issue of how hippocampal neurons are involved into learning progress, we studied c... more To address the issue of how hippocampal neurons are involved into learning progress, we studied c-Fos expression in rat hippocampal subfields at different stages of appetitive instrumental learning. To model the first stage of learning, we pre-trained animals to approach the lever to obtain the food, and then made this behavior ineffective by not reinforcing it during the last session ("mismatch" group). Another group just acquired lever-pressing behavior at that day ("acquisition" group). Animals of the third group performed this well-trained behavior ("performance" group). The number of Fos-positive neurons in all hippocampal regions of the "mismatch" group animals was higher than in the ones of the home cage control group animals. The number of Fos-positive neurons was increased in CA1 and CA3 areas, but not in the dentate gyrus of both the "acquisition" and "performance" group animals as compared with the control group. We also found segmented c-Fos expression, which was more evident in "acquisition" group animals. Thus, our results suggest that during the first (mismatch) stage of learning hippocampal neurons are activated in an equally distributed manner. The following clustered pattern of activated CA1 neurons during the acquisition stage may reflect specialization of these neurons in respect to the specific lever-pressing behavior.
Voprosy Psikhologii, 2015
Èksperimentalʹnaâ psihologiâ, 2022
It has been repeatedly shown in animals that during periods of their relative motor inactivity (b... more It has been repeatedly shown in animals that during periods of their relative motor inactivity (between runs, for example, or when the pace slows down), there is reactivation of specific sequences of activity of the same neurons and in the same order (sometimes in exactly the opposite order) as in the process of actually performing behavioral acts. Such reactivations were called “replays”. Similar neuronal reactivations in the brain are observed during periods of sleep, that is often associated with the presence of dreams and the phenomenon of “improving” memory. Initially, such “spontaneous” reactivations were demonstrated in the hippocampus for neurons specific in their activity in relation to various places. Later it turned out that the same thing is found in the cortex and in subcortical structures, for example, in the striatum. The phenomenon of neuronal replays presumably underlies the reorganization and consolidation of memory (i.e. its stabilization). “Spontaneous” reactivations are also observed immediately before the performance of a particular behavior and, apparently, underlie selection for future behavior during decision-making. The data presented in this review suggest that what is considered “spontaneous” brain activity is a natural process of continuous updating of existing elements of individual experience for future interactions in the environment. Brain activity is a continuous change of active neuronal groups, and the frequency of “spontaneous” replays, presumably, depends on the time that has elapsed since the appearance of exactly such a combination of neurons during the consolidation and reconsolidation of memory. The study of “spontaneous” brain activations is a relatively new field of neuroscience, and their nature and significance require further research.
Psikhologicheskii Zhurnal, 2015
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Mar 17, 2019
Обзор посвящен интегративным функциям ретросплениальной коры, значительная доля нейронов которой ... more Обзор посвящен интегративным функциям ретросплениальной коры, значительная доля нейронов которой обладает специализацией относительно положения и перемещения организма в пространстве. Разбираются современные данные об анатомии и связях ретросплениальной коры у крыс, а также о поведенческой специализации ее нейронов, обнаруженной с помощью мультиэлектродной регистрации клеточной активности. Паттерн связей ретросплениальной коры позволяет рассматривать ее как своеобразное связующее звено между областями мозга, специфически ответственными за пространственную навигацию, и ассоциативными областями коры, не имеющими пространственной настройки. Этой уникальной особенностью анатомических связей ретросплениальной коры, по-видимому, объясняется присутствие в ней нейронов не только с пространственными, но и с более сложными поведенческими специализациями, которые рассмотрены в данном обзоре. Подобные сложно специализированные клетки, вероятно, должны ассоциировать комбинацию пространственной и непространственной информации, и раскрытие механизмов этой ассоциации может привнести новое в понимание принципов организации когнитивных функций коры головного мозга.
Experimental Psychology, 2011
Данная работа была посвящена исследованию механизмов приобретения навыков одно-и многоэтапным спо... more Данная работа была посвящена исследованию механизмов приобретения навыков одно-и многоэтапным способами. Мы проанализировали наличие связи между характеристиками реорганизации предыдущего опыта (оцененного по нейрогенетическим изменениям) при обучении навыку на новой стороне экспериментальной клетки и числом этапов предварительного обучения. В ходе экспериментального исследования проводилось обучение животных двух групп одному и тому же поведению разными способами-в один или несколько этапов, затем доучивание животных обеих групп этому навыку на другой стороне экспериментальной клетки. Оценка числа нейронов, подвергающихся изменению экспресии генов, проводилась по наличию транскрипционного фактора белка c-Fos. Несмотря на то, что животные обеих групп демонстрировали сходное поведение во время обучения на новой стороне экспериментальной клетки, число нейронов, вовлеченных в перестройки экспрессии генов, у них достоверно различалось. Таким образом, было продемонстрировано, что процессы аккомодационной реконсолидации (реорганизация уже существующего индивидуального опыта) при дополнительном обучении зависят от предварительной истории обучения.
Izvestiya VUZ. Applied Nonlinear Dynamics
Purpose of this review is to consider the possibility to apply the integrated information theory ... more Purpose of this review is to consider the possibility to apply the integrated information theory to investigate the brain neural activity. Earlier was shown that the integrated information amount Φ quantifies a degree of a dynamic complexity of a system and able to predict a level of its success defined by classic observable benchmarks. For this reason, a question arises about the application of the integrated information theory to analyse changes in brain spiking activity due the acquisition of new experience. Conclusion. The bases of the integrated information theory and its possible application in neurobiology to investigate the process of new experience acquisition were reviewed. It was shown that the amount of integrated information Φ is a metric which is able to quantify the dynamic complexity of brain neural networks increasing when the new experience is acquired. Methods, enaabling the practical calculation of Φ for spiking data, were proposed.
Brain Sciences, May 3, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Psikhologicheskii zhurnal
Biophysics
Abstract — One of the approaches to quantifying the complexity of systems is integrated informati... more Abstract — One of the approaches to quantifying the complexity of systems is integrated information theory, as a mathematically complicated measure of how much “integrated information” a system possesses; it has been initially proposed to calculate how much consciousness a neural system has. In this study, we used this approach to assess whether there are any differences in hippocampal neural activity during skill acquisition of various degrees of difficulty. It was found that the value of the integrated information index, Φ, increased with the progress in the task. Moreover, Φ changed with an interval of 3–4 days until the animal was able to perform the skill. The results we obtained indicate that temporary abnormal neural activity (the temporary disorganization of the system state) is an essential stage in reorganization of neural activity that contributes to the achievement of a goal for the entire body.
Zhurnal vyssheĭ nervnoĭ deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova
In this work we aimed to create a controlled history of two sequential trainings in order to find... more In this work we aimed to create a controlled history of two sequential trainings in order to find out activation patterns of "the first task" neurons during the second task learning. Rats were first trained to perform instrumental water rewarded behavior that required using left or right whiskers (a conditioned "whisking" task), and then to perform food-acquisition task of pedal pressing (not a conditioned "whisking" task). We found that food-acquisition task learning is accompanied by c-Fos induction in the barrel cortex neurons in animals that learned previously a conditioned "whisking" task. These data suggest that c-Fos induction during the second training took place in neurons that were specialized in relation to the first, "whisking" task.
Experimental Psychology (Russia), 2020
The article presents data on the study of neurogenetic changes in the rat brain and the features ... more The article presents data on the study of neurogenetic changes in the rat brain and the features of performing various behavioral acts during acquisition of a food-acquisition skill, depending on the actualization of the previously acquired skill. The experiments involved 13 animals who were successively trained in the following behaviors: new context in the open field test, new objects in the object preference test, drinking behavior using a vibrissal pad, and food-acquisition behavior of pressing the pedal. It turned out that the nature of motor activity and the severity of neurogenetic changes during learning a new skill in individuals who immediately before this training occurred short-term actualization of the experience formed at one of the previous stages of training, significantly differed from the same parameters in individuals who did not have such actualization. It is suggested that the actualization of previously formed experience before new training contributes to the f...
International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education (IJCRSEE)
One of the ways to comprehend mental abilities of individuals is to examine their underlying neur... more One of the ways to comprehend mental abilities of individuals is to examine their underlying neural processes and mechanisms. To explore the role of cingulate cortical neurons in “mental rehearsal“ immediately before every trial of appetitive instrumental task in well-trained animals, we analyzed recorded single-unit activity in relation to the task-relevant events during task trials and during delay periods inside each trial in the same animals. The results showed that neuronal activity in the rabbit posterior cingulate cortex during the delay consisted mostly of activity of those neurons which were specialized in relation to this task, though the delay periods were not intended to remember previous events. The data indicated that these neuronal groups are involved in the processes of unfolding planned future behavior. Sequences of neuronal events during the delay period (i.e. during” covert behavior” phase), used for decision making, depended on the role of neuron in overt behavio...
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
Background: The goal of the brain is to provide right on time a suitable earlier-acquired model f... more Background: The goal of the brain is to provide right on time a suitable earlier-acquired model for the future behavior. How a complex structure of neuronal activity underlying a suitable model is selected or fixated is not well understood. Here we propose the integrated information Φ as a possible metric for such complexity of neuronal groups. It quantifies the degree of information integration between different parts of the brain and is lowered when there is a lack of connectivity between different subsets in a system. Methods: We calculated integrated information coefficient (Φ) for activity of hippocampal and amygdala neurons in rats during acquisition of two tasks: spatial task followed by spatial aversive task. An Autoregressive Φ algorithm was used for time-series spike data. Results: We showed that integrated information coefficient Φ is positively correlated with a metric of learning success (a relative number of rewards). Φ for hippocampal neurons was positively correlated with Φ for amygdalar neurons during the learning requiring the cooperative work of hippocampus and amygdala. Conclusions: This result suggests that integrated information coefficient Φ may be used as a prediction tool for the suitable level of complexity of neuronal activity and the future success in learning and adaptation and a tool for estimation of interactions between different brain regions during learning.
Journal of Analytical Psychology, 2020
As shown in our previous paper ('Regression I. Experimental approaches to regression', JAP, 65, 2... more As shown in our previous paper ('Regression I. Experimental approaches to regression', JAP, 65, 2, 345-65), the common mechanism of regression can be described as reversible dedifferentiation, which is understood as a relative increase of the proportion of low-differentiated (older) systems in actualized experience. Experimental data show that regression following disease (chronic tension headache) is followed by adaptation and an increase in system differentiation in that experience domain which contains systems responsible for that adaptation. The results of mathematical modelling support the idea that reversible dedifferentiation can be one of the mechanisms for increasing the effectiveness of adaptation through learning. Reversible dedifferentiation, which is phenomenologically described as regression, is a general mechanism for restructuring the organism-environment interactions in situations where behaviours that were effective in the past become ineffective. Reversible dedifferentiation has evolved as a component of adaptation when new behaviours are formed and large-scale modifications in the existing behaviours are required in the face of changes in the external and/or internal environment. Thus, the authors believe that this article provides evidence for Jung's view that regression is not only a 'return' to past forms of thinking, affects and behaviour, but that regressive processes provide a significant impetus for psychological growth and development.
International Journal of Psychophysiology, 2018
Journal of Analytical Psychology, 2020
The concept of regression is considered with an emphasis on the differences between the positions... more The concept of regression is considered with an emphasis on the differences between the positions of Freud and Jung regarding its significance. The paper discusses the results of experimental analyses of individual experience dynamics (from gene expression changes and impulse neuronal activity in animals to prosocial behaviour in healthy humans at different ages, and humans in chronic pain) in those situations where regression occurs: stress, disease, learning, highly emotional states and alcohol intoxication. Common mechanisms of regression in all these situations are proposed. The mechanisms of regression can be described as reversible dedifferentiation, which is understood as a relative increase of the representation of low-differentiated (older) systems in the actualized experience. In all of the cases of dedifferentiation mentioned above, the complexity of the systemic organization of behaviour significantly decreases.
Advances in neurobiology, 2018
Despite the years of studies in the field of systems neuroscience, functions of neural circuits a... more Despite the years of studies in the field of systems neuroscience, functions of neural circuits and behavior-related systems are still not entirely clear. The systems description of brain activity has recently been associated with cognitive concepts, e.g. a cognitive map, reconstructed via place-cell activity analysis and the like, and a cognitive schema, modeled in consolidation research. The issue we find of importance is that a cognitive unit reconstructed in neuroscience research is mainly formulated in terms of environment. In other words, the individual experience is considered as a model or reflection of the outside world and usually lacks a biological meaning, such as describing a given part of the world for the individual. In this chapter, we present the idea of a cognitive component that serves as a model of behavioral interaction with environment, rather than a model of the environment itself. This intangible difference entails the need in substantial revision of several ...
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, 2015
We report here studies in which a controlled history of sequential learning of two skills was cre... more We report here studies in which a controlled history of sequential learning of two skills was created with the aim of identifying the pattern of activation of neurons for the fi rst skill on formation of the second. Animals were initially trained to an operant drinking behavior requiring use of the whiskers on the left or right side (a "whisker-dependent" skill), which was followed by training to a food-procuring pedal-pressing skill not requiring use of the whiskers. The results showed that training to a food-procuring skill induced c-Fos expression in a signifi cantly larger number of neurons in the barrel fi eld in animals previously trained to the operant drinking (whisker-dependent) skill than in the analogous area of control animals previously trained to a non-operant drinking skill. Our data suggest that activation of c-Fos expression on repeat training also occurred in those neurons which had already become specialized in relation to the fi rst, whisker-dependent, skill.
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, 2015
To address the issue of how hippocampal neurons are involved into learning progress, we studied c... more To address the issue of how hippocampal neurons are involved into learning progress, we studied c-Fos expression in rat hippocampal subfields at different stages of appetitive instrumental learning. To model the first stage of learning, we pre-trained animals to approach the lever to obtain the food, and then made this behavior ineffective by not reinforcing it during the last session ("mismatch" group). Another group just acquired lever-pressing behavior at that day ("acquisition" group). Animals of the third group performed this well-trained behavior ("performance" group). The number of Fos-positive neurons in all hippocampal regions of the "mismatch" group animals was higher than in the ones of the home cage control group animals. The number of Fos-positive neurons was increased in CA1 and CA3 areas, but not in the dentate gyrus of both the "acquisition" and "performance" group animals as compared with the control group. We also found segmented c-Fos expression, which was more evident in "acquisition" group animals. Thus, our results suggest that during the first (mismatch) stage of learning hippocampal neurons are activated in an equally distributed manner. The following clustered pattern of activated CA1 neurons during the acquisition stage may reflect specialization of these neurons in respect to the specific lever-pressing behavior.