Abstract

The data on the cellular mechanism of LTD that is presented in four target articles is synthesized into a new model of Purkinje cell plasticity. This model attempts to address credit assignment problems that are crucial in learning systems. Intracellular signal transduction mechanisms may provide the mechanism for a 3-factor learning rule and a trace mechanism. The latter may permit delayed information about motor error to modify the prior synaptic events that caused the error. This model may help to focus future cellular studies on issues that are particularly critical for a computationally viable concept of cerebellar plasticity, [CRÉPEL et al.; HOUK et al.; KANO; LINDEN; VINCENT]