Different regulation mechanisms for evolved critical periods in learning

The learning of various skills and behaviors in animals and humans goes through phases known as critical periods, where plasticity is temporarily facilitated. The experiments presented here are designed to shed further light on this phenomenon, by investigating three mechanisms that have been suggested for controlling the timing of critical periods. By evolving neural networks controlled by these mechanisms, we gain an insight into their strengths and weaknesses. We find that the mechanisms based on the developmental stage of an individual can control plasticity under predictable conditions, whereas we need to control plasticity as a function of attention level to adapt successfully to new and uncertain environments.