Incremental learning of perceptual and conceptual representations and the puzzle of neural repetition suppression.
Incremental learning models of long-term perceptual and conceptual knowledge hold that neural representations are gradually acquired over many individual experiences via Hebbian-like activity-dependent synaptic plasticity across cortical connections of the brain. In such models, variation in task relevance of information, anatomic constraints, and the statistics of sensory inputs and motor outputs lead to qualitative alterations in the nature of representations that are acquired. Here, the proposal that behavioral repetition priming and neural repetition suppression effects are empirical markers of incremental learning in the cortex is discussed, and research results that both support and challenge this position are reviewed. Discussion is focused on a recent fMRI-adaptation study from our laboratory that shows decoupling of experience-dependent changes in neural tuning, priming, and repetition suppression, with representational changes that appear to work counter to the explicit task demands. Finally, critical experiments that may help to clarify and resolve current challenges are outlined.
Section on Cognitive Neuropsychology, Laboratory of Brain and Cognition, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Rm 4C-104, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1366, USA. gottss@mail.nih.gov.
Stephen J
SJ
Gotts
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D003210:Concept Formation; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D010465:Perception; D060865:Repetition Priming
Plasticity; Predictive coding; Priming; Semantic memory; Sharpening; Synchrony