The neural basis of operant conditioning in Aplysia

了解自己行为的结果（操作性条件反射）和了解环境中的关系（经典条件反射）构成了预测性、非陈述性（程序性）学习的两种主要形式。这些形式的学习是如此基础和普遍，即使是无脊椎动物，如澳大利亚也具有显性和经典学习的能力。学习的神经基础一直是科学界和公众非常感兴趣的问题。然而，该领域的研究几乎完全利用经典条件反射范式作为模型系统来解决这一问题。尽管操作性条件反射有更大的潜力来理解人类的能力，如决策、意志、计划和其他执行功能（以及更大的医学相关性），但大多数技术和概念上的困难阻碍了对操作性条件反射的研究达到与经典条件反射相同的深度。随着最近的新发现和新的分子生物学工具的发展，简单的模型系统应用程序现在提供了缩小这一差距的机会。在本研究中，我们将采用代表性差异分析和单细胞rt-PCR方法来确定小灰羊摄食行为的操作性条件作用和经典条件作用的遗传基础。利用这些信息，我们将确定候选细胞进行生理检查。

Learning about the consequences of one s own behavior (operant conditioning) and learning about relations in the environment (classical conditioning) constitute the two main forms of predictive, nondeclarative (procedural) learning. These forms of learning are so fundamental and ubiquitous that even invertebrates such as Aplysia possess the capacity to learn operantly and classically. The neural basis of learning has been and remains of considerable interest to the scientific community and the general public. Nevertheless, research in this area has almost exclusively utilized classical conditioning paradigms as model systems within which to address this issue. Despite providing a greater potential for understanding human capacities such as decision-making, volition, planning and other executive functions (as well as a larger medical relevance), mostly technical and conceptual difficulties have prevented the study of operant conditioning to reach the same level of depth as that of classical conditioning. With recent new discoveries and the development of new molecular biological tools, the simple model system Aplysia now provides the opportunity to close this gap. In this proposal we will use representational difference analysis and single cell rt-PCR to identify the genetic basis of operant and classical conditioning of Aplysia feeding behavior. Using this information, we will identify candidate cells for physiological examination.