Tracking pattern learning with single-trial event-related potentials.
OBJECTIVE
The main aim was to track the dynamics of pattern-learning using single-trial event-related potentials (ERPs). A new 'learning-oddball' paradigm was employed presenting eight random targets (the 'no-pattern') followed by eight regular targets (the 'pattern'). In total, six repetitions of the 'no-pattern' followed by the 'pattern' were presented.


METHODS
We traced the dynamics of learning by measuring responses to 16 (eight random-eight regular) targets. Since this alternation of the 'no-pattern' followed by the 'pattern' was repeated six times, we extracted single-trial responses to all 96 targets to determine if learning occurred more rapidly with each repetition of the 'pattern.'


RESULTS
Following random targets, ERPs contained a marked P3-N2 component that decreased to regular targets, whereas a contingent negative variation (CNV) appeared. ERP changes could be best described by sigmoid 'learning' curves. Single-trial analyses showed that learning occurred more rapidly over repetitions and suggested that the CNV developed prior to the decay of the N2-P3 component.


CONCLUSIONS
We show a new paradigm-analysis methodology to track learning processes directly from brain signals.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-trial ERPs analyses open a wide range of applications. Tracking the dynamic structure of cognitive functions may prove crucial in the understanding of learning and in the study of different pathologies.
Jongsma
Marijtje L A
ML
NICI, Department of Biological Psychology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. jongsma@nici.ru.nl
Eichele
Tom
T
Van Rijn
Clementina M
CM
Coenen
Anton M L
AM
Hugdahl
Kenneth
K
Nordby
Helge
H
Quiroga
Rodrigo Quian
RQ
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D003265:Contingent Negative Variation; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology