title: A Comparison of the neural correlates that underlie rule-based and information-integration category learning.
abstract: The influential competition between verbal and implicit systems (COVIS) model proposes that category learning is driven by two competing neural systems-an explicit, verbal, system, and a procedural-based, implicit, system. In the current fMRI study, participants learned either a conjunctive, rule-based (RB), category structure that is believed to engage the explicit system, or an information-integration category structure that is thought to preferentially recruit the implicit system. The RB and information-integration category structures were matched for participant error rate, the number of relevant stimulus dimensions, and category separation. Under these conditions, considerable overlap in brain activation, including the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the hippocampus, was found between the RB and information-integration category structures. Contrary to the predictions of COVIS, the medial temporal lobes and in particular the hippocampus, key regions for explicit memory, were found to be more active in the information-integration condition than in the RB condition. No regions were more activated in RB than information-integration category learning. The implications of these results for theories of category learning are discussed. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3557-3574, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Washington Singer Building, Perry Road, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Portland Square, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andy J
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4803-0367
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wills
authors.affiliation: Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus Heavitree RoadExeter EX1 2LU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Abdelmalek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benattayallah
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Washington Singer Building, Perry Road, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Fraser
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Milton
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
keywords: caudate nucleus; hippocampus; learning; magnetic resonance imaging; parahippocampal gyrus; verbal