Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
06:12
Virtual Prism Adaptation Therapy: Protocol for Validation in Healthy Adults
Published on: February 12, 2020
6.3K
Three timescales in prism adaptation.
Masato Inoue1, Motoaki Uchimura2, Ayaka Karibe1
1Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan;
Journal of Neurophysiology
|October 10, 2014
Summary
Motor adaptation involves fast and slow learning systems. This study reveals an additional ultraslow learning system in prism adaptation, crucial for long-term retention after prolonged exposure.
Area of Science:
- Motor control
- Human motor learning
- Sensory adaptation
Background:
- Motor adaptation is often modeled with fast and slow learning systems.
- A two-state model explains adaptation in force field tasks.
- The applicability of this model to visual field adaptation was unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a two-state motor learning model applies to prism adaptation.
- To identify the number of learning systems involved in prism adaptation.
- To characterize the properties of these learning systems.
Main Methods:
- Adaptation to visual prism displacement was induced.
- Adaptation rebound was measured after visual feedback removal.
- Decay of prism aftereffects was assessed after varying trial exposures (30, 150, 500).
- Retention of aftereffects was compared after 24 hours.
Main Results:
- An adaptation rebound confirmed the two-state model's prediction.
- Slower decay of prism aftereffects with increased exposure trials suggested an additional system.
- Retention after 24 hours was significantly better after 500 than 150 trials.
- A three-state model, including an ultraslow system, best explained the data.
Conclusions:
- Prism adaptation involves at least three learning systems: fast, slow, and ultraslow.
- An ultraslow learning system is activated by prolonged prism exposure (150-500 trials).
- This ultraslow system significantly contributes to long-term retention of prism aftereffects.
