Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning
Abstract Associative learning abilities vary considerably among individuals, with attentional processes suggested to play a role in these variations. However, the relationship between attentional processes and individual differences in associative learning remains unclear, and whether these variatio...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | npj Science of Learning |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-024-00236-8 |
| _version_ | 1797247462137659392 |
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| author | Elsa Raynal Kate Schipper Catherine Brandner Paolo Ruggeri Jérôme Barral |
| author_facet | Elsa Raynal Kate Schipper Catherine Brandner Paolo Ruggeri Jérôme Barral |
| author_sort | Elsa Raynal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Associative learning abilities vary considerably among individuals, with attentional processes suggested to play a role in these variations. However, the relationship between attentional processes and individual differences in associative learning remains unclear, and whether these variations reflect in event-related potentials (ERPs) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attentional processes and associative learning by recording electrocortical activity of 38 young adults (18–32 years) during an associative learning task. Learning performance was assessed using the signal detection index d’. EEG topographic analyses and source localizations were applied to examine the neural correlates of attention and associative learning. Results revealed that better learning scores are associated with (1) topographic differences during early (126–148 ms) processing of the stimulus, coinciding with a P1 ERP component, which corresponded to a participation of the precuneus (BA 7), (2) topographic differences at 573–638 ms, overlapping with an increase of global field power at 530–600 ms, coinciding with a P3b ERP component and localized within the superior frontal gyrus (BA11) and (3) an increase of global field power at 322–507 ms, underlay by a stronger participation of the middle occipital gyrus (BA 19). These insights into the neural mechanisms underlying individual differences in associative learning suggest that better learners engage attentional processes more efficiently than weaker learners, making more resources available and displaying increased functional activity in areas involved in early attentional processes (BA7) and decision-making processes (BA11) during an associative learning task. This highlights the crucial role of attentional mechanisms in individual learning variability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:59:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4505a0ba5a4b447c8208045391d95dec |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-7936 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:59:04Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Science of Learning |
| spelling | doaj.art-4505a0ba5a4b447c8208045391d95dec2024-03-24T12:10:52ZengNature Portfolionpj Science of Learning2056-79362024-03-019111110.1038/s41539-024-00236-8Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learningElsa Raynal0Kate Schipper1Catherine Brandner2Paolo Ruggeri3Jérôme Barral4Brain Electrophysiology Attention Movement Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of LausanneBrain Electrophysiology Attention Movement Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of LausanneBrain Electrophysiology Attention Movement Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of LausanneBrain Electrophysiology Attention Movement Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of LausanneBrain Electrophysiology Attention Movement Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of LausanneAbstract Associative learning abilities vary considerably among individuals, with attentional processes suggested to play a role in these variations. However, the relationship between attentional processes and individual differences in associative learning remains unclear, and whether these variations reflect in event-related potentials (ERPs) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attentional processes and associative learning by recording electrocortical activity of 38 young adults (18–32 years) during an associative learning task. Learning performance was assessed using the signal detection index d’. EEG topographic analyses and source localizations were applied to examine the neural correlates of attention and associative learning. Results revealed that better learning scores are associated with (1) topographic differences during early (126–148 ms) processing of the stimulus, coinciding with a P1 ERP component, which corresponded to a participation of the precuneus (BA 7), (2) topographic differences at 573–638 ms, overlapping with an increase of global field power at 530–600 ms, coinciding with a P3b ERP component and localized within the superior frontal gyrus (BA11) and (3) an increase of global field power at 322–507 ms, underlay by a stronger participation of the middle occipital gyrus (BA 19). These insights into the neural mechanisms underlying individual differences in associative learning suggest that better learners engage attentional processes more efficiently than weaker learners, making more resources available and displaying increased functional activity in areas involved in early attentional processes (BA7) and decision-making processes (BA11) during an associative learning task. This highlights the crucial role of attentional mechanisms in individual learning variability.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-024-00236-8 |
| spellingShingle | Elsa Raynal Kate Schipper Catherine Brandner Paolo Ruggeri Jérôme Barral Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning npj Science of Learning |
| title | Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning |
| title_full | Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning |
| title_fullStr | Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning |
| title_short | Electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning |
| title_sort | electrocortical correlates of attention differentiate individual capacity in associative learning |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-024-00236-8 |
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