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Novelty exposure induces stronger sensorimotor representations during a manual adaptation task
Marit F L Ruitenberg1,2, Vincent Koppelmans3, Rachael D Seidler4
1Department of Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|December 24, 2021
Summary
Exploring new places improves motor learning and memory. Novelty exposure enhances sensorimotor adaptation, potentially by influencing dopamine pathways, leading to stronger motor representations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Novel spatial exploration enhances declarative memory, linked to dopamine release.
- Procedural motor learning also involves dopamine, suggesting novelty might benefit motor skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if spatial novelty exploration improves sensorimotor adaptation.
- To determine if novelty effects extend from memory to motor learning.
Main Methods:
- Participants explored novel or familiar virtual environments.
- A manual adaptation task with visual perturbation was performed.
- Rates of adaptation and deadaptation were measured.
Main Results:
- Adaptation rates were similar between novelty and familiar conditions.
- Individuals exposed to novelty showed slower deadaptation.
- This suggests stronger sensorimotor representations were formed in the novelty group.
Conclusions:
- Spatial novelty enhances sensorimotor adaptation, indicating a broader role for novelty beyond declarative memory.
- Novelty-induced dopaminergic effects may strengthen motor learning and representations.
- This finding has implications for training in complex environments like space or for rehabilitation.
