Neocortical mechanisms in motor learning

by Jerome N Sanes

- Incontrovertible evidence: Many neocortical regions, including the motor-related areas, exhibit plasticity and are likely to contribute to motor- skill learning.

Leaning mechanisms

- Candidate mechanisms include fundamental modification in neural-spiking properties, the formation of new intrinsic or extrinsic synaptic contacts, the long-term potentiation or long-term depression of network synapses, and changes in intracortical processing.

- LTP and LTD have been proposed as mechanisms for learning and memory functions throughout the brain, although definitive proof of the relationship between synaptic plasticity and learning often is lacking.