Scientists at Tel Aviv University have made a groundbreaking discovery about how our brains learn and form memories. A study published in Science Advances found that two fundamental learning systems, classical and operant conditioning, cannot operate simultaneously in the brain. The researchers used fruit flies as a model organism and discovered that when both methods are applied at the same time, the flies become confused and unable to learn either response.
Classical conditioning involves forming passive associations between stimuli, while operant conditioning is an active process where behaviors are reinforced by rewards or consequences. For decades, scientists assumed these systems could work together seamlessly, but the new research reveals a complex dynamic. The brain appears to engage in a “mental tug-of-war,” prioritizing one learning system over the other.
The study identified neural mechanisms responsible for this prioritization, focusing on the brain’s “navigation center,” which acts as a gatekeeper, ensuring only one type of memory takes precedence. This discovery has broader implications for our understanding of learning and could provide valuable insights into conditions like ADHD and Alzheimer’s disease. The findings suggest that the brain has an remarkable ability to streamline learning, even if it means choosing one path at the expense of another.
Source: https://www.jewishpress.com/news/health-and-medicine/tau-groundbreaking-discovery-illuminates-the-brains-memory-wars/2024/12/26