Methods of increasing learning rate

1. A method for increasing the rate of learning in a subject, the method comprising,

electrically stimulating the striatum in the brain of the subject during an interval of learning in the subject, wherein the interval of learning comprises a reinforcement interval that is a feedback period of learning.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the learning comprises formation of a visual-motor association.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein stimulating the striatum is stimulating the caudate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein stimulating the striatum is stimulating the anterior caudate.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation of the striatum comprises deep brain stimulation.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the deep brain stimulation comprises high frequency microstimulation.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the high frequency microstimulation is at a pulse frequency of about 200 Hz.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the high frequency micro stimulation is at a phase length of about 0.2 ms.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the high frequency microstimulation is at an interphase interval of about 0.2 ms.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the high frequency microstimulation is at an amperage of about 200 μA.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the high frequency microstimulation comprises a stimulus train of about 1000 ms.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation of the striatum comprises epidural electrical stimulation.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has, has had, or is suspected of having a neurological disease or disorder.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the neurological disease or disorder is associated with a deficit in learning.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the neurological disease or disorder is a associated with a deficit in the formation of visual-motor associations.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the neurological disease or disorder is an associative learning disorder, a brain injury, a neurodegenerative disorder, stroke, epilepsy, autism, or Parkinson's disease.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a primate.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.