Neurochemical and functional interactions for improved perceptual decisions through training.
View / Open Files
Authors
Jia, Ke
Giorgio, Joseph
Rideaux, Reuben
Hodgson, Victoria
Emir, Uzay
Publication Date
2022-04-01Journal Title
J Neurophysiol
ISSN
0022-3077
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Type
Article
This Version
AM
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Jia, K., Frangou, P., Karlaftis, V. M., Ziminski, J. J., Giorgio, J., Rideaux, R., Zamboni, E., et al. (2022). Neurochemical and functional interactions for improved perceptual decisions through training.. J Neurophysiol https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00308.2021
Abstract
Learning and experience are known to improve our ability to make perceptual decisions. Yet, our understanding of the brain mechanisms that support improved perceptual decisions through training remains limited. Here, we test the neurochemical and functional interactions that support learning for perceptual decisions in the context of an orientation identification task. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we measure neurotransmitters (i.e., glutamate, GABA) that are known to be involved in visual processing and learning in sensory [early visual cortex (EV)] and decision-related [dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)] brain regions. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), we test for functional interactions between these regions that relate to decision processes. We demonstrate that training improves perceptual judgments (i.e., orientation identification), as indicated by faster rates of evidence accumulation after training. These learning-dependent changes in decision processes relate to lower EV glutamate levels and EV-DLPFC connectivity, suggesting that glutamatergic excitation and functional interactions between visual and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex facilitate perceptual decisions. Further, anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in EV impairs learning, suggesting a direct link between visual cortex excitation and perceptual decisions. Our findings advance our understanding of the role of learning in perceptual decision making, suggesting that glutamatergic excitation for efficient sensory processing and functional interactions between sensory and decision-related regions support improved perceptual decisions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Combining multimodal brain imaging [magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), functional connectivity] with interventions [transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)], we demonstrate that glutamatergic excitation and functional interactions between sensory (visual) and decision-related (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) areas support our ability to optimize perceptual decisions through training.
Relationships
Is supplemented by: https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.82236
Sponsorship
European Commission (290011)
Wellcome Trust (205067/Z/16/Z)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/P021255/1)
National Research Foundation Singapore (via Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (CARES)) (NRF-CLIC)
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) Marie Sk?odowska-Curie actions (840271)
Embargo Lift Date
2023-03-02
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00308.2021
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/334572
Statistics
Total file downloads (since January 2020). For more information on metrics see the
IRUS guide.