tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post4349152838733587060..comments2024-03-29T05:19:17.638-07:00Comments on The Neurocritic: Bidirectional Competition Between Striatum and Hippocampus During LearningThe Neurocritichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010555869208208621noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-74526264946926193102008-10-31T16:47:00.000-07:002008-10-31T16:47:00.000-07:00You're correct that the paper didn't directly addr...You're correct that the paper didn't directly address the neuroanatomical evidence for inhibitory connections, be they direct or indirect. However, the authors say in their discussion:<BR/><BR/><I>These results substantially clarify the nature of the interactions between these two systems during learning of a task in which both can be recruited. Interference by the hippocampus and associated medial temporal lobe structures with striatum-dependent processes may be mediated by direct projections that appear to have an inhibitory effect on striatal function. However, there is no known similarly direct projection from the striatum, or the basal ganglia system more generally, to the medial temporal lobe. Therefore, although unidirectional competition—interference by hippocampal activity with striatum-dependent learning processes — may result from direct projections, the bidirectional competition we document is likely to require the involvement of other brain areas, such as medial frontal cortex or amygdala.</I> [numbered refs removed]<BR/><BR/>I had been working on my own "Hate" post yesterday, and included a link to your nice piece. Welcome to the neuroblogosphere!The Neurocritichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010555869208208621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-32434075585843166582008-10-30T17:13:00.000-07:002008-10-30T17:13:00.000-07:00So this suggests that the two systems are function...So this suggests that the two systems are functionally antagonistic, but it doesn't say anything about whether there are, say, inhibitory connections between the hippocampus and the dorsal striatum. Hmm. This may be a silly idea, but couldn't this simply be a general "attentional" effect - if animals don't find the cues salient due to striatal lesions, they have more time to spend learning about the spatial aspects of the task?<BR/><BR/>By the way I've written a gripe about over-interpretation of neuroscience findings <A HREF="http://neuroskeptic.blogspot.com/2008/10/fmri-reveals-true-nature-of-hatred.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>. <BR/>Which is similar in spirit to your first post on this paper.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps you might consider a link exchange. Judging by our names, we are kindred spirits...Neuroskeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06647064768789308157noreply@blogger.com