Open Peer Commentary Quartz & Sejnowski: Cognitive development
Learning and synaptic plasticity
G. B. Robinson a1 a1 Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 6E4, Canada
robinson@unb.ca
Abstract
Controversy surrounds several experiments that have addressed
whether selective synaptic strengthening occurs during learning. To
date, the evidence suggests that widespread alterations in synaptic
strength, through either kindling or electroconvulsive shock, can
disrupt this hypothetical process. The lack of evidence for selective
modification of learning through LTP stimulation, however, provides
difficulties for both the prevailing hypothesis and the hypothesis
advanced by Shors & Matzel. Subsequent experiments may
indicate a role for LTP in both learning and arousal.
