Topic: observational learning

Metabolic cost for the nervous system is very high due to the complexity of neuronal morphology and the processes to sustain neuronal transmission and synaptic plasticity. Cognitive functions underlying complex behaviors further increase brain energy demands. Despite the interest given to brain metabolism during the last years, how modification of metabolism might contribute to cognitive dysfunctions in brain disorders is not clear. Thus, we aim to identify the key metabolic pathways activated during complex cognitive functions. In this study, we will focus on metabolic pathways activated by d

Learning from others is one of the main expressions of humans’ social nature. Evolution has favored this capacity, conserved across species, for the environmental advantages compared to trial-and-error learning. Social group members are critical agents for the learning and development of social and prosocial behaviors. However, whether rodents can acquire prosocial behaviors through observation is not understood. Here, we used a social decision-making paradigm (SDM) in mice in which an observer can learn from a demonstrator how to share a reward with their conspecifics. Following observation,