[Directed cortico-cortical functional connectivity at the earlier stages of serial learning in adults and children of 7-8 years old].
The serial learning at its earlier stages that presumably involve working memory was studied in adults and children of 7-8 who were reproducing a sequences of discrete movements following the order given by a sequence of visual stimuli. In both age groups, the learning curves (latent time vs. trial number) were qualitatively similar in shape. The overall shape of the learning curve depended on the relative share of fast vs. slow phases of latent time reduction. Comparison of cortico-cortical functional connectivity at the prestimulus period in the sequence reproduction task vs. the simple visuo-motor reaction task showed an overall tendency for an increase in influence of postcentral cortical areas accompanied by a reduction in influence exerted by the prefrontal and the central cortical areas. In particular, it was typical for adults to show an increase in directed influence of TPO cortical areas while in children, an increase of directed influence of parietal cortex was also observed. Comparing subgroups with different shapes of learning curves showed a difference in the directed functional connectivity in those subgroups. The results are discussed with a particular focus on the role of working memory retaining the internal representations of sequences being learned.
Kurganskiĭ
A V
AV
Grigal
P P
PP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation