THE BEHAVIORAL NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY - A CONCEPTUAL REORIENTATION

Research on the neurobiology of learning and memory has been guided by two major theories: (i) memory as a psychological process and (ii) me mory as a change in synaptic neural connectivity. It is not widely rec ognised that not only are these theories different but, moreover, they are fundamentally incompatible. Confusion concerning basic concepts i n the learning and memory field in mammals has lead to the creation of an extensive but often inconclusive experimental literature. However, one important conclusion suggested by recent work in this field is th at experience-dependent changes in neural connectivity occur in many d ifferent brain systems. Particular brain structures, such as the hippo campus, do not play any uniquely important role in experience-dependen t behavior. Research in learning and memory can be best pursued on the basis of biological studies of animal behavior and a cellular approac h to brain function.