Ambrus, Géza Gergely, Vékony, Teodóra, Janacsek, Karolina ORCID: 0000-0001-7829-8220 , Trimborn, Anna B. C., Kovács, Gyula and Nemeth, Dezso (2020) When less is more: enhanced statistical learning of non-adjacent dependencies after disruption of bilateral DLPFC. Journal of Memory and Language, 114:104144. ISSN 0749-596X (doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jml.2020.104144)

PDF (Publisher's PDF - Open Access) 28572 JANACSEK_When_Less_is_More_Enhanced_Statistical_Learning_(OA)_2020.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (6kB)

Abstract

Brain networks related to human learning can interact in cooperative but also competitive ways to optimize performance. The investigation of learning and memory processes in a competitive framework is still rare. Previous studies have shown that manipulations reducing the engagement of prefrontal cortical areas could lead to improved statistical learning performance. However, no study has investigated how disruption of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) affects the acquisition and consolidation of non-adjacent second-order dependencies. The present study aimed to test the role of the DLPFC, more specifically, the Brodmann 9 area in implicit temporal statistical learning of non-adjacent dependencies. We applied 1 Hz inhibitory transcranial magnetic stimulation or sham stimulation over both the left and right DLPFC intermittently during the learning. The DLPFC-stimulated group showed better performance compared to the sham group after a 24-hour consolidation period. This finding suggests that the disruption of DLPFC during learning induces qualitative changes in the consolidation of non-adjacent statistical regularities. A possible mechanism behind this result is that the stimulation of the DLPFC promotes a shift to model-free learning by weakening the access to model-based processes.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY-NC-ND/4.0/).
Uncontrolled Keywords:	transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), procedural learning, consolidation, internal models, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM) Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Thinking and Learning
Last Modified:	24 Feb 2021 11:12
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/28572

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads