Periodic Reporting for period 2 - RapidLearningBrain (Novel mechanisms of rapid perceptual learning)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-09-30
Perceptual learning is enabled by repeated practice, inducing use-dependent plasticity in early visual areas and their readouts. But is this the only route, or do other forms of more economic learning exist? This project aims to challenge the fundamental assumption in perceptual learning that only 'practice makes perfect', hypothesizing that brief reactivations of visual memories induce efficient rapid perceptual learning, mediated by increased interactions between early-visual and high-level regions. The objectives are: (1) To reveal the neurobehavioural mechanisms by which brief exposure to learned information modulates brain plasticity and supports rapid learning, using psychophysics and fMRI-neuronavigated brain stimulation (TMS). (2) To understand the links to consolidation and sleep dynamics. (3) To identify how these novel mechanisms interact across learning disciplines, using closed-loop TMS-EEG. (4) To test the hypothesis that similar inherent mechanisms may also result in maladaptive consequences, when brief reactivations occur spontaneously as intrusive enhanced memories following negative events. Unraveling the mechanisms of this new form of rapid learning could reshape learning theories across domains, setting the foundations to enhance learning in daily life when beneficial, and to downregulate maladaptive consequences of negative memories.
We developed an experimental design geared to reveal the brain mechanisms underlying rapid perceptual learning, and have been conducting the corresponding fMRI experiments to address this question. In addition, we investigated the generalizability of this novel form of learning to additional learning and memory domains, including the numeric domain, and motor skill learning.
We have published two manuscripts in which we have studied the generalizability of rapid learning to additional learning and memory domains, including the numeric domain, and motor skill learning. In these experiments, we have also tested the time course of learning, including in short time scales that do not involve between-session sleep, and in long-term memory retention. The stage has been set for novel experimental designs testing the neurobehavioral mechanisms of rapid perceptual learning and how they generalize across learning and memory domains. Accordingly, we expect additional papers to be published by the end of this project.