How one-shot learning unfolds in the brain

Abstract

Much learning occurs gradually through trial and error, but rare and important experiences require one-shot learning; a new study explores how the brain switches between these two strategies for identifying causal relationships. Read the Research Article.

Fig 1. Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex mediates rapid causal inference.

Here, the authors use a combination of computational modeling and neuroimaging techniques to provide evidence indicating that the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, in co-operation with the hippocampus, underlies switching between incremental and one shot learning. Image credit: Sang Wan Lee.