Dynamics of EEG functional connectivity during statistical learning

Tóth, B., Janacsek, K., Takács, Á., Kóbor, A., Zavecz, Z. and Nemeth, D. (2017) Dynamics of EEG functional connectivity during statistical learning. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 144, pp. 216-229. (doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2017.07.015) (PMID:28803867)

Abstract

Statistical learning is a fundamental mechanism of the brain, which extracts and represents regularities of our environment. Statistical learning is crucial in predictive processing, and in the acquisition of perceptual, motor, cognitive, and social skills. Although previous studies have revealed competitive neurocognitive processes underlying statistical learning, the neural communication of the related brain regions (functional connectivity, FC) has not yet been investigated. The present study aimed to fill this gap by investigating FC networks that promote statistical learning in humans. Young adults (N=28) performed a statistical learning task while 128-channels EEG was acquired. The task involved probabilistic sequences, which enabled to measure incidental/implicit learning of conditional probabilities. Phase synchronization in seven frequency bands was used to quantify FC between cortical regions during the first, second, and third periods of the learning task, respectively. Here we show that statistical learning is negatively correlated with FC of the anterior brain regions in slow (theta) and fast (beta) oscillations. These negative correlations increased as the learning progressed. Our findings provide evidence that dynamic antagonist brain networks serve a hallmark of statistical learning.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: EEG, functional connectivity, implicit learning, phase synchronization, predictive processing, statistical learning.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Takacs, Dr Adam
• Authors: Tóth, B., Janacsek, K., Takács, Á., Kóbor, A., Zavecz, Z., and Nemeth, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1074-7427
• ISSN (Online): 1095-9564
• Published Online: 10 August 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc.
• First Published: First published in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 144: 216-229
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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