LAUSR

Probabilistic association learning is a form of non-declarative learning that involves the gradual acquisition of cue-outcome associations based on feedback and is dependent on frontal-striatal activity in healthy adults. Prefrontal cortex dysfunction has been established in schizophrenia; however, striatal dysfunction is often ignored or attributed to antipsychotic effects. Probabilistic association learning is typically impaired in schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies have shown reduced frontal-striatal activity in patients with schizophrenia; although a proportion of patients with schizophrenia who can learn the probabilistic associations utilize an alternate neural network that includes the parahippocampal gyrus/hippocampus. Many studies support the hypothesis that probabilistic association learning impairment can be an intrinsic characteristic of the illness. Studies have begun to identify the molecular mechanisms underpinning probabilistic association learning deficits in schizophrenia which include the influence of dopamine, neurotrophins and estrogen.