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Title Role of the Basal Ganglia in Category Learning: How Do Patients With Parkinson's Disease Learn?
Abstract The purpose of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the basal ganglia in learning and memory by examining learning strategies among patients with basal ganglia dysfunction. Using a probabilistic category learning task (the "weather prediction" task) previously shown to be sensitive to basal ganglia function, the authors examined patterns of performance during learning and used mathematical models to capture different learning strategies. Results showed that patients with Parkinson's disease exhibit different patterns of strategy use. Specifically, most controls initially used a simple, but suboptimal, strategy that focused on single-cue-outcome associations; eventually, however, most controls adopted a more complex, optimal learning strategy, integrating single-cue associations to predict outcomes for multiple-cue stimuli. In contrast, the majority of individuals with Parkinson's disease continued to rely on simple single-cue learning strategies throughout the experiment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)

Authors Shohamy, D.; Myers, C. E.; Onlaor, S.; Gluck, M. A.
Affiliations Shohamy, D.: Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, NJ, US
Myers, C. E.: Department of Psychology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, NJ, US
Onlaor, S.: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Gluck, M. A.: Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, NJ, US
Source Behavioral Neuroscience. 2004 Aug Vol 118(4) 676-686

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Amazing what you find, Carolyn.

I find it's harder for me to concentrate to read. My level of concentration is not what it used to be, and so I find that reading and comprehension is harder these days.

BUT I now check out books on CD from the library - some I put on my ipod - with the added benefit that if I have trouble sleeping, I stick an earphone to my ear and lay down - somehow the reading calms me and allows me to sleep. When I wake up and find I've missed some of the book, then I turn off the player, unplug myself, and turn over and go to sleep.