The two major modes of locomotion in humans, walking and running, may be regarded as a function of different speed (walking as slower and running as faster). Recent results using motor learning tasks in humans, as well as more direct evidence from animal models, advocate for independence in the neural control mechanisms underlying different locomotion tasks. In the current study, we investigate...

Reinforcement learning is a computational framework for an active agent to learn behaviors on the basis of a scalar reward signal. The agent can be an animal, a human, or an artificial system such as a robot or a computer program. The reward can be food, water, money, or whatever measure of the performance of the agent. The theory of reinforcement learning, which was developed in an artificial ...

Training of microvascular anastomosis techniques comprise the major part of surgical skills, necessary for revascularization surgeries. Training can be performed in several stages based on the experience of trainees. This should mainly start with various models of artificial materials that simulate tissues. In the next stage, trainee should practice microsurgical skill on a non-living tissue mo...

Octopuses (Octopus vulgaris) are generally considered to possess extraordinary cognitive abilities including the ability to successfully perform in a serial reversal learning task. During reversal learning, an animal is presented with a discrimination problem and after reaching a learning criterion, the signs of the stimuli are reversed: the former positive becomes the negative stimulus and vic...

Introduction: Previous studies indicate that exercise influences cognitive function. Nevertheless, considering that exercise in animal study can be voluntary, or forced, effects of exercise (specially forced exercise) on learning and memory abides as a matter of controversy. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise on LTP in the dentate gyrus of rats. Methods: T...

increased level of stress has negative effects on cognitive functions. thus, it is necessary to identify appropriate strategies to prevent cognitive and motor performance decline. the aim of this research was to study the effect of immobilization stress on learning and memory and the protective role of physical activity in them. from male albino-wistar rats of pastor institute, 32 rats were ran...

The role of attention in perceptual learning has been a topic of controversy. Sensory psychophysicists/physiologists and animal learning psychologists have conducted numerous studies to examine this role; but because these two types of researchers use two very different lines of approach, their findings have never been effectively integrated. In the present article, we review studies from both ...