A minimal heuristic model of human memory storage and retrievel is outlined in which there is no self-organizing ability, and in which retrieval processes are undirected in that they do not vary with the nature of information sought. The model is applied to a variety of phenomena in human learning, forgetting and retrieval. (RC)

Maintains that Teyler and Fountain's presentation (1987) contains several limitations, namely, that the authors do not (1) distinguish between learning and memory, nor between storage and retrieval; (2) address the role of knowledge-based influences in memory and learning; or (3) employ concepts that can accommodate developmental phenomena in the…

The influence of behaviorism's methods and theories on theory and research in the neurosciences is examined, partly in light of John B. Watson's 1913 essay. An attempt is made to reconcile classical behaviorism and modern cognitive psychology and neuroscience. (SLD)

The forebrain cholinergic neurons are localized in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM), the major source of cholinergic innervation to the neocortex and to the amygdala, and in the medium septum-banda diagonalis complex, which provides cholinergic inputs to the hippocampus (Mesulam et al. 1983; Woolf et al. 1984; Nicoll 1985). Basic and…

We previously reported that five repeated pulses of 5-HT lead to down-regulation of the TM-apCAM isoform at the surface of "Aplysia" sensory neurons (SNs). We here examined whether apCAM down-regulation is required for 5-HT-induced long-term facilitation. We also analyzed the role of the cytoplasmic and extracellular domains by overexpressing…

Just a little over a century has passed since Muller and Pilzecker (1900) proposed the "perseveration-consolidation" hypothesis suggesting that neural activity initiated by newly learned information perseverates for a while and that such perseveration is critical for consolidating memory. Although memory consolidation is currently the focus of…

There is a close correlation between long-term potentiation (LTP) in the synapses of lateral amygdala (LA) and fear conditioning in animals. We predict that reversal of LTP (depotentiation) in this area of the brain may ameliorate conditioned fear. Activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR II) with DCG-IV induces…

The cannabinoid CB1 receptor has been shown to be critically involved in the extinction of fear memory. Systemic injection of a CB1 receptor antagonist prior to extinction training blocked extinction. Conversely, administration of the cannabinoid uptake inhibitor AM404 facilitated extinction in a dose-dependent manner. Here we show that bilateral…

Nightmares are common, occurring weekly in 4%-10% of the population, and are associated with female gender, younger age, increased stress, psychopathology, and dispositional traits. Nightmare pathogenesis remains unexplained, as do differences between nontraumatic and posttraumatic nightmares (for those with or without posttraumatic stress…

A previously proposed model for memory based on neurophysiological considerations is reviewed. It is extended by introducing positive feedback of a set of neurons onto itself and allowing the neurons to saturate. The resulting model is analyzed by distinctive features, categorical perception, and as it applies to probability learning. (Editor/RK)

The author describes the initial research barriers neuroscientists faced and finally overcame, then summarizes what they discovered about the organization and development of learning/memory mechanisms. Finally, he suggests how the education profession should respond to these research developments. (CT)

The brain, a pattern-finding organ, seeks to create meaning through establishing or refining existing neural networks; this is learning. Emotion affects what is learned and what is retained.

Author outlines some of the basic techniques of futurology and suggests a possible course of action in getting our futurology effort underway. (Author/RK)

Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 6-month-old infants with and without Down syndrome presented with a visual recognition memory task. The ERP morphology was the same for both groups. The chronometry of information processing by infants with Down syndrome was similar to or faster than "normal" infants' processing.…

Fos protein immunodetection was used to investigate the neuronal activation elicited in some olfactory-related areas after either learning of an olfactory discrimination task or its reactivation 10 d later. Trained rats (T) progressively acquired the association between one odor of a pair and water-reward in a four-arm maze. Two groups of…