Sleep-dependent learning and practice-dependent deterioration in an orientation discrimination task.
Learning new information requires practice. The degree of learning can be influenced by the amount of practice and whether subjects sleep between sessions. Over-practice, however, can lead to performance deterioration. The interaction between practice-dependent deterioration and sleep-dependent learning needs more study. We examine whether the amount of practice before sleep alters learning, and whether prior sleep protects against deterioration. Two groups (N = 33) were tested three times across two days on an orientation discrimination task. The High practice group was tested twice before a night of sleep and once after, at 9 a.m., 7 p.m., and 9 a.m. The Low practice group was tested once before a night of sleep and twice after, at 7 p.m., 9 a.m., and 7 p.m. Overall, both groups showed (1) deterioration with repeated, within-day testing, (2) performance improvement only after a night of sleep, (3) similar amounts of sleep-dependent learning and practice-dependent deterioration. In summary, we found that sleep resets visual contrast thresholds to a lower baseline (i.e., produces learning), but does not prevent over-practice deterioration effects. Likewise, over-practice deterioration does not influence the magnitude of overnight learning on this task.
Mednick
Sara C
SC
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, USA. smednick@ucsd.edu
Drummond
Sean P A
SP
Boynton
Geoffrey M
GM
Awh
Ed
E
Serences
John
J
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005364:Field Dependence-Independence; D006801:Humans; D009949:Orientation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011930:Reaction Time; D012016:Reference Values; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*