RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Common Mechanisms of Learning in Motor and Cognitive Systems JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 7523 OP 7529 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1505-23.2023 VO 43 IS 45 A1 Constantinidis, Christos A1 Ahmed, Alaa A. A1 Wallis, Joni D. A1 Batista, Aaron P. YR 2023 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/43/45/7523.abstract AB Rapid progress in our understanding of the brain's learning mechanisms has been accomplished over the past decade, particularly with conceptual advances, including representing behavior as a dynamical system, large-scale neural population recordings, and new methods of analysis of neuronal populations. However, motor and cognitive systems have been traditionally studied with different methods and paradigms. Recently, some common principles, evident in both behavior and neural activity, that underlie these different types of learning have become to emerge. Here we review results from motor and cognitive learning, relying on different techniques and studying different systems to understand the mechanisms of learning. Movement is intertwined with cognitive operations, and its dynamics reflect cognitive variables. Training, in either motor or cognitive tasks, involves recruitment of previously unresponsive neurons and reorganization of neural activity in a low dimensional manifold. Mapping of new variables in neural activity can be very rapid, instantiating flexible learning of new tasks. Communication between areas is just as critical a part of learning as are patterns of activity within an area emerging with learning. Common principles across systems provide a map for future research.