title: Local GABA Concentration Predicts Perceptual Improvements After Repetitive Sensory Stimulation in Humans.
abstract: Learning mechanisms are based on synaptic plasticity processes. Numerous studies on synaptic plasticity suggest that the regulation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a central role maintaining the delicate balance of inhibition and excitation. However, in humans, a link between learning outcome and GABA levels has not been shown so far. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy of GABA prior to and after repetitive tactile stimulation, we show here that baseline GABA+ levels predict changes in perceptual outcome. Although no net changes in GABA+ are observed, the GABA+ concentration prior to intervention explains almost 60% of the variance in learning outcome. Our data suggest that behavioral effects can be predicted by baseline GABA+ levels, which provide new insights into the role of inhibitory mechanisms during perceptual learning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heba
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287-0006, USA F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Nicolaas A J
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Puts
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kalisch
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Glaubitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Haag
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Hubert R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Dinse
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287-0006, USA F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Richard A E
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Edden
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tegenthoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Wilcke
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
keywords: GABA; magnetic resonance spectroscopy; plasticity; tactile learning