COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE OF IMPLICIT TEMPORAL LEARNING

Stanford University, Stanford CA

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Abstract

The goal of the proposed research is to identify the neural basis of implicit temporal motor learning using converging evidence from lesion and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies (fMRI). Experiment 1 tests amnesic subjects to test the hypothesis that structures in the medial temporal lobe are not required for normal learning of durations or sequences of durations. Experiment 2 tests the hypothesis that the basal ganglia are relevant to sequencing, not timing. If this hypothesis is correct, Parkinson's and Huntington's patients should be impaired at learning a temporal sequence, but not at learning durations. Experiment 3 uses fMRI to determine whether the basal ganglia, SMA and cerebellum are involved in implicit temporal learning, as predicted. Experiment 4 isolates the structures involved in sequencing, rather than duration learning, with fMRI; Experiment 3 isolates the structures involved in duration learning, but not sequence learning. Experiment 6, a behavioral study, determines whether implicit temporal learning involves both motor and perceptual learning, as a precursor to examining whether the same structure subserves both functions.