Task-specific transfer of perceptual learning across sensory modalities

Current Biology : CB
David P McGovernFiona N Newell

Abstract

It is now widely accepted that primary cortical areas of the brain that were once thought to be sensory-specific undergo significant functional reorganisation following sensory deprivation. For instance, loss of vision or audition leads to the brain areas normally associated with these senses being recruited by the remaining sensory modalities [1]. Despite this, little is known about the rules governing crossmodal plasticity in people who experience typical sensory development, or the potential behavioural consequences. Here, we used a novel perceptual learning paradigm to assess whether the benefits associated with training on a task in one sense transfer to another sense. Participants were randomly assigned to a spatial or temporal task that could be performed visually or aurally, which they practiced for five days; before and after training, we measured discrimination thresholds on all four conditions and calculated the extent of transfer between them. Our results show a clear transfer of learning between sensory modalities; however, generalisation was limited to particular conditions. Specifically, learned improvements on the spatial task transferred from the visual domain to the auditory domain, but not vice versa. Convers...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 22, 2019·Recent Patents on Anti-cancer Drug Discovery·Yuan QinXiao F Luo
Jun 28, 2018·Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience·Georgia O'CallaghanFiona N Newell
Mar 21, 2017·Neural Plasticity·Matthew A De NiearMark T Wallace
Jan 1, 2018·Multisensory Research·Ralf SürigBrigitte Röder
Sep 17, 2020·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Rebecca J HirstFiona N Newell
Jan 14, 2021·Scientific Reports·Rannie XuTakeo Watanabe
Dec 9, 2020·Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior·Paolo Di LuzioVincenzo Romei
Apr 26, 2021·Cognition·Benedetta HeimlerAmir Amedi
May 12, 2020·NeuroImage·Maria Bianca AmadeoMonica Gori
Jul 29, 2021·Psychological Research·Felix BallToemme Noesselt

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