Post-training TMS abolishes performance improvement and releases future learning from interference.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Perceptual Learning

Background:

• The period post-visual training is critical for memory consolidation.
• Direct evidence for this period's causal role in perceptual learning is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal role of the immediate post-training period in perceptual learning.
• To determine if this period is essential for consolidating newly acquired visual skills.

Main Methods:

• Human subjects underwent two consecutive visual training tasks (Gabor orientation detection).
• Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) was applied to the visual cortex or a control site (vertex) post-training.
• Performance on both tasks was assessed to evaluate learning and interference.

Main Results:

• Vertex cTBS resulted in learning on the first task but anterograde interference on the second.
• Visual cortex cTBS abolished performance improvement on the first task.
• Visual cortex cTBS also released the second training from anterograde interference.

Conclusions:

• The immediate post-training period is causally involved in perceptual learning consolidation.
• Interference with the visual cortex during this period disrupts learning and subsequent task performance.