Learning to learn: Single session acquisition of new rules by freely moving mice

Abstract Learning from examples and adapting to new circumstances are fundamental attributes of human cognition. However, it is unclear what conditions allow for fast and successful learning, especially in nonhuman subjects. To determine how rapidly freely moving mice can learn a new discrimination...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPNAS nexus Vol. 3; no. 5; p. pgae203
Main Authors Levi, Amir, Aviv, Noam, Stark, Eran
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published US Oxford University Press 01.05.2024
Subjects
Associative learning
Automation
Biological, Health, and Medical Sciences
Cognition
Cognition & reasoning
Criteria
Learning
Memory
Neurosciences
Physiology
Psychological research
Visual discrimination
Visual perception
Israel
hybrid mice
animal cognition
associative learning
reference memory
visual discrimination
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Summary:Abstract Learning from examples and adapting to new circumstances are fundamental attributes of human cognition. However, it is unclear what conditions allow for fast and successful learning, especially in nonhuman subjects. To determine how rapidly freely moving mice can learn a new discrimination criterion (DC), we design a two-alternative forced-choice visual discrimination paradigm in which the DCs governing the task can change between sessions. We find that experienced animals can learn a new DC after being exposed to only five training and three testing trials. The propensity for single session learning improves over time and is accurately predicted based on animal experience and criterion difficulty. After establishing the procedural learning of a paradigm, mice continuously improve their performance in new circumstances. Thus, mice learn to learn.
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Competing Interest: The authors declare no competing interest.
ISSN:2752-6542
2752-6542
DOI:10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae203