Timing Mechanisms in the Cerebellum: Testing Predictions of a Large-Scale Computer Simulation

We used large-scale computer simulations of eyelid conditioning to investigate how the cerebellum generates and makes use of temporal information. In the simulations the adaptive timing displayed by conditioned responses is mediated by two factors: (1) different sets of granule cells are active at d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of neuroscience 2000-07, Vol.20 (14), p.5516-5525
Main Authors: Medina, Javier F, Garcia, Keith S, Nores, William L, Taylor, Nichole M, Mauk, Michael D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cerebellar Nuclei - physiology
Cerebellum - cytology
Cerebellum - physiology
Computer Simulation
Conditioning, Eyelid - physiology
Male
Models, Neurological
Nerve Fibers - physiology
Neural Inhibition - physiology
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Predictive Value of Tests
Purkinje Fibers - physiology
Rabbits
Reaction Time - physiology
Synapses - physiology
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Summary:We used large-scale computer simulations of eyelid conditioning to investigate how the cerebellum generates and makes use of temporal information. In the simulations the adaptive timing displayed by conditioned responses is mediated by two factors: (1) different sets of granule cells are active at different times during the conditioned stimulus (CS), and (2) responding is not only amplified at reinforced times but also suppressed at unreinforced times during the CS. These factors predict an unusual pattern of responding after partial removal of the cerebellar cortex that was confirmed using small, electrolytic lesions of cerebellar cortex. These results are consistent with timing mechanisms in the cerebellum that are similar to Pavlov's "inhibition of delay" hypothesis.
ISSN:0270-6474
1529-2401
DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.20-14-05516.2000