Neurophysiological Studies of Learning and Memory in Pigeons

Colombo, Michael; Scarf, Damian

doi:10.3819/ccbr.2012.7002

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Both the NCL and the PFC show great similarities in anatomical, neurochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral characteristics (Güntürkün, 2005a, 2005b), as well as a comparable receptor architecture (Herold et al, 2011). A laminar cortex as in mammals is not required to support higher cognitive processes (for a review see Colombo & Scarf, 2012). In this study, we further demonstrated this with respect to reward processing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How bad do you want it? Reward modulation in the avian nidopallium caudolaterale.

Koenen¹,

Millar²,

Colombo³

2013

Behavioral Neuroscience

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The prefrontal cortex plays an important role in reward processing in humans and nonhuman primates. In the current study we examined reward modulation in the single cell activity of the avian analog of the prefrontal cortex, the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL). Pigeons had to peck at stimuli that represented either no reward, a small reward, or a large reward in a no-choice condition (only one stimulus presented) or a choice condition (two stimuli presented simultaneously). Of the 92 recorded cells, 34 cells showed some form of reward modulation, either during the stimulus presentation or the delay activity preceding the delivery of reward in the no-choice or choice condition. Latencies to peck at the stimulus revealed that the differences in reward amount were behaviorally significant to the pigeons. Moreover, a majority of cells (approximately 70%) showed activity during the actual reward phase. Our results show that cells in the NCL modulate their response as a function of the amount of reward.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How bad do you want it? Reward modulation in the avian nidopallium caudolaterale.

Koenen¹,

Millar²,

Colombo³

2013

Behavioral Neuroscience

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“…Although avian HF interneurons cannot be directly compared to the types of interneurons found in the mammalian hippocampus, they may share comparable modulatory capabilities. Neurons of the avian HF display spike morphology/firing rate profiles similar to those in the mammalian hippocampus (Siegel et al, ; Hough and Bingman, ; Colombo and Scarf, ). For example, neurons of the V‐complex fire at rates similar to CA1 neurons and avian DL neurons display firing patterns resembling the cells of the subiculum.…”

Section: Anatomy Of the Avian Hfmentioning

confidence: 97%

The maturation of research into the avian hippocampal formation: Recent discoveries from one of the nature's foremost navigators

2015

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For more than 30 years, a growing number of researchers have been attracted to the challenge of understanding the neurobiological organization of the avian hippocampal formation (HF) and its relationship to the remarkable spatial cognitive abilities of birds. In this selective review, we highlight recent anatomical and developmental findings that reveal a HF design that defies any simple comparison to the mammalian hippocampus and leaves unanswered the seemingly enduring question of whether a dentate gyrus homologue is to be found in HF. From a functional perspective, we highlight the recent discoveries that implicate HF in the use of space for memory pattern segregation and continued interest in the role HF neurogenesis may play in supporting memory function and its relationship to memory decline in aging birds. We also summarize data that nurture a fundamental reinterpretation of the role of HF in spatial cognition by suggesting HF involvement in spatial perception antecedent to any memory formation. Given the disproportionate adaptive significance of space for birds, which has led to the evolution of their exceptional navigational and memory abilities, there is little doubt that the avian HF will continue to provide important and unexpected insights into the neural basis of spatial cognition.

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“…Indeed, there is a long history of research examining the learning and cognitive abilities of pigeons (Colombo & Scarf, 2012; Cook, Katz, & Blaisdell, 2012; Herrnstein, Loveland & Cable, 1976; Wasserman, Kiedinger & Bhatt, 1988; Wright, 1997), including memory for items recently presented in a sequence (Cook & Blaisdell, 2006). …”

Section: Serial Pattern Learning In Pigeonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serial pattern learning in pigeons: Rule-based or associative?

Garlick

Fountain

Blaisdell

2017

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cogniti

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Extensive research has documented evidence for rule learning in sequential behavior tasks in both rats and humans. We adapted the 2-choice serial multiple choice (SMC) task developed for use with rats (Fountain & Rowan, 1995a) to study sequence behavior in pigeons. Pigeons were presented with 8 disks arranged in a circular array on a touchscreen, and pecking to an illuminated disk could lead to reward. Correct responding consisted of serial patterns involving ‘run’ chunks of three elements (123 234, etc.). Some pigeons experienced a violation of the chunk rule in the final chunk. Unlike rats, pigeons made fewer errors on Violation chunks than Run chunks, suggesting the use of low-level cues to guide choices. Removal of low-level cues and increasing the number of simultaneously-illuminated disks to an 8-choice SMC task resulted in more errors on the Violation chunk. Pigeons were able to use the rule when the array of disks was contracted or expanded, and when chunk length was extended to four and five elements, but not when disks were removed from or added to the array. Pigeons were also able to abstract structure from a ‘trill’ pattern (121 232 etc.), as shown by high error rates on a Violation trial. These results suggest that pigeons, like rats and humans, can abstract sequence structure, but do so primarily in the absence of specific low-level feature-based information.

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Neurophysiological Studies of Learning and Memory in Pigeons

Cited by 3 publications

References 50 publications

How bad do you want it? Reward modulation in the avian nidopallium caudolaterale.

How bad do you want it? Reward modulation in the avian nidopallium caudolaterale.

The maturation of research into the avian hippocampal formation: Recent discoveries from one of the nature's foremost navigators

Serial pattern learning in pigeons: Rule-based or associative?

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