Neuroscience 2004 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 774.9 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Neural correlates of the influence of reward and punishment on procedural learning of motor sequences: An fMRI study. |
| Authors: |
Waechter, T.*1,2,3
; Lungu, O. V.1,2
; Liu, T.1,2
; Bares, M.1,2,3
; Willingham, D. T.4
; Ashe, J.1,2,3
1Brain Sci. Ctr., VAMC Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 2MN, One Veterans Dr, 55417, 3USA, One Veterans Dr, 55417, 4Dept. of Neurosci., One Veterans Dr, 55417, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human and Animal Cognition and Behavior -- Learning & memory: Physiology and imaging |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Motor Systems<br />- Basal Ganglia<br />-- Behavior |
| Session: |
774. Learning: Functional Imaging Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, October 26, 2004 1:00 PM-2:00 PM |
| Location: | San Diego Convention Center - Hall A-H, Board # LL4 |
| Keywords: | LEARNING AND MEMORY, FUNCTIONAL MRI, BASAL GANGLIA, REINFORCEMENT |
In a previous behavioral study (Waechter et al SFN, 2003), using the serial reaction time task, we have demonstrated a facilitation of implicit learning of motor sequences by monetary reward that was independent of motivation; by contrast monetary penalties did not affect learning. These findings were in accord with predictions from neural recordings in the mid-brain dopaminergic system as well as reinforcement learning theories. The learning theories, such as the actor-critic model, further predict that reward will enhance motor learning through the release of dopamine in the striatum thus strengthening cortico-striatal connections. We tested this hypothesis using fMRI in human subjects during the performance of the same behavioral task. As expected, we found significant activation in the putamen during implicit learning in a group of 38 subjects who did not acquire explicit knowledge. Further analysis showed that this sub-area within the putamen also showed a significant effect of reward, but was not activated by penalties or neutral stimuli. In addition, areas in cerebral cortex active during learning were also affected by reward. Our findings support the hypothesis that striatal activation through reward does enhance implicit learning of motor sequences, and indicate that formal reinforcement theories, originally developed to explain instrumental conditioning, also hold true for more complex behavior such as implicit learning.
Supported by NIH NS 40106
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
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