Learning to optimize perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in the human brain.

Emir UE
Karlaftis VM
Nettekoven CR
Hinson EL
Larcombe S
Bridge H
Kourtzi Z

Scientific Abstract

Translating noisy sensory signals to perceptual decisions is critical for successful interactions in complex environments. Learning is known to improve perceptual judgments by filtering external noise and task-irrelevant information. Yet, little is known about the brain mechanisms that mediate learning-dependent suppression. Here, we employ ultra-high field magnetic resonance spectroscopy of GABA to test whether suppressive processing in decision-related and visual areas facilitates perceptual judgments during training. We demonstrate that parietal GABA relates to suppression of task-irrelevant information, while learning-dependent changes in visual GABA relate to enhanced performance in target detection and feature discrimination tasks. Combining GABA measurements with functional brain connectivity demonstrates that training on a target detection task involves local connectivity and disinhibition of visual cortex, while training on a feature discrimination task involves inter-cortical interactions that relate to suppressive visual processing. Our findings provide evidence that learning optimizes perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in decision-related networks.

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Learning to optimize perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in the human brain.

Emir UE
Karlaftis VM
Nettekoven CR
Hinson EL
Larcombe S
Bridge H
Kourtzi Z

Scientific Abstract

Translating noisy sensory signals to perceptual decisions is critical for successful interactions in complex environments. Learning is known to improve perceptual judgments by filtering external noise and task-irrelevant information. Yet, little is known about the brain mechanisms that mediate learning-dependent suppression. Here, we employ ultra-high field magnetic resonance spectroscopy of GABA to test whether suppressive processing in decision-related and visual areas facilitates perceptual judgments during training. We demonstrate that parietal GABA relates to suppression of task-irrelevant information, while learning-dependent changes in visual GABA relate to enhanced performance in target detection and feature discrimination tasks. Combining GABA measurements with functional brain connectivity demonstrates that training on a target detection task involves local connectivity and disinhibition of visual cortex, while training on a feature discrimination task involves inter-cortical interactions that relate to suppressive visual processing. Our findings provide evidence that learning optimizes perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in decision-related networks.

Citation

2019. Nat Commun, 10(1):474.

DOI

10.1038/s41467-019-08313-y

Free Full Text at Europe PMC

PMC6349878

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Similar content

Preprint
Gann MA, Paparella IA, Zich C, Grigoras IF, Huertas-Penen S, Rieger SW, Thielscher A, Sharott A, Stagg CJ, Schwab BC

Dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation during a bimanual coordination task modulates functional connectivity between motor areas