One form of learning is a gradual decrease in response to a stimulus that is no longer reinforced. Deficits in this ‘unlearning’ are associated with disorders such as PTSD, addictive behavior, schizophrenia or OCD. The rodent Prelimbic area (PL) is involved in behavioral flexibility and adaptive learning. To study the role of this area in the inhibition of an otherwise prepotent default response, we manipulated PL functionality with optogenetic stimulation while mice engaged in a go/nogo operant learning paradigm.
Each year, Brown University showcases the research of its undergraduates at the Summer Research Symposium. More than half of the student-researchers are UTRA recipients, while others receive funding from a variety of Brown-administered and national programs and fellowships and go …
