Black I B
Brain Behav Evol. 1984;24(1):35-46. doi: 10.1159/000121303.
Existing theories of learning and memory focus on the generation of functional associations among neuronal aggregates, while largely ignoring molecular plasticity within single neurons. However, recent work indicates that individual neurons are profoundly plastic, altering neurotransmitter function with altered environmental stimuli. Consequently, concepts of network plasticity must now be complemented by concepts of neuronal plasticity. It is formally proposed that many transmitter regulatory molecules function as symbols, encoding environmental information by transducing brief extracellular events into long-term alteration of function. The molecular mechanisms underlying this memorial process are described in detail. The model defines an intraneuronal, molecular representational system that interconnects several levels of function, from environmental event to neuronal alteration to physiologic response and behavior. Symbol manipulation in this system is semantically as well as syntactically functional.
现有的学习与记忆理论聚焦于神经元聚集体之间功能关联的产生，而在很大程度上忽略了单个神经元内的分子可塑性。然而，最近的研究表明，单个神经元具有深刻的可塑性，会随着环境刺激的改变而改变神经递质功能。因此，网络可塑性的概念现在必须由神经元可塑性的概念来补充。正式提出许多递质调节分子起着符号的作用，通过将短暂的细胞外事件转化为功能的长期改变来编码环境信息。详细描述了这一记忆过程背后的分子机制。该模型定义了一个神经元内的分子表征系统，该系统将从环境事件到神经元改变再到生理反应和行为的多个功能层次相互连接起来。这个系统中的符号操作在语义和句法上都是功能性的。
