Non-synaptic neuronal mechanisms of learning and memory in gastropod molluscs

Front Biosci. 2008 May 1:13:4051-7. doi: 10.2741/2993.

Abstract

Gastropod molluscs provide important model systems for investigating the behavioral and neural basis of associative and non-associative learning. Habituation, sensitization, classical and operant conditioning are studied in motor reflex and central pattern generator circuits. Although synaptic plasticity has long been recognized as playing a key role in molluscan learning circuits, non-synaptic changes resulting in alterations in the excitability of neurons are increasingly recognized as an essential component of the memory trace.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aplysia / physiology
  • Gastropoda / physiology*
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Lymnaea / physiology
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Mollusca / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology
  • Species Specificity
  • Synapses / physiology