The role of the striatum in implicit learning: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
Previous research has posited striatal involvement in implicit learning. However, imaging studies have not directly compared learners with non-learners. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging with 15 study participants, we used an implicit learning task previously associated with striatal recruitment. Dorsal and ventral striatum activation was observed in the eight participants who demonstrated implicit learning. Ventral striatum activations occurred to a greater extent in implicit learning versus non-implicit learning participants, and were correlated with the degree of reaction time advantage in implicit learning participants, even after controlling for general decreases in reaction time over time. These findings strengthen the specificity of the striatum in implicit learning and are suggestive of a dissociation of striatal regions relative to elements of implicit learning performance.
Reiss
Jeffrey P
JP
Psychiatric Neuroimaging Research Program, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. jpreiss@cc.umanitoba.ca
Campbell
Darren W
DW
Leslie
William D
WD
Paulus
Martin P
MP
Stroman
Patrick W
PW
Polimeni
Joseph O
JO
Malcolmson
Kelly A
KA
Sareen
Jitender
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen