The role of alpha-rhythm states in perceptual learning: insights from experiments and computational models.
During the past two decades growing evidence indicates that brain oscillations in the alpha band (~10 Hz) not only reflect an "idle" state of cortical activity, but also take a more active role in the generation of complex cognitive functions. A recent study shows that more than 60% of the observed inter-subject variability in perceptual learning can be ascribed to ongoing alpha activity. This evidence indicates a significant role of alpha oscillations for perceptual learning and hence motivates to explore the potential underlying mechanisms. Hence, it is the purpose of this review to highlight existent evidence that ascribes intrinsic alpha oscillations a role in shaping our ability to learn. In the review, we disentangle the alpha rhythm into different neural signatures that control information processing within individual functional building blocks of perceptual learning. We further highlight computational studies that shed light on potential mechanisms regarding how alpha oscillations may modulate information transfer and connectivity changes relevant for learning. To enable testing of those model based hypotheses, we emphasize the need for multidisciplinary approaches combining assessment of behavior and multi-scale neuronal activity, active modulation of ongoing brain states and computational modeling to reveal the mathematical principles of the complex neuronal interactions. In particular we highlight the relevance of multi-scale modeling frameworks such as the one currently being developed by "The Virtual Brain" project.
Department Neurology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Germany ; Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Germany.
Rodrigo
R
Sigala
Department Neurology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Germany ; Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Germany.
Sebastian
S
Haufe
Department Neurology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Germany ; Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Germany.
Dipanjan
D
Roy
Neural Plasticity Lab, Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany.
Hubert R
HR
Dinse
Department Neurology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Germany ; Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Germany ; Minerva Research Group BrainModes, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany ; Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Mind and Brain Institute, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
Petra
P
Ritter
alpha rhythm; attention; cognition; large-scale modeling; learning; memory; oscillations