Prediction-based sensory attenuation is related to prediction-based motor attenuation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Motor Control
• Predictive Coding

Background:

• Neural activity is attenuated for predictable sensory inputs compared to unpredictable ones.
• This sensory attenuation phenomenon has been observed in the motor system using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
• The relationship between motor and sensory prediction signals remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether motor prediction signals are related to or dependent on sensory prediction.
• To determine if motor attenuation is specific to motor cortex stimulation.
• To explore the correspondence between prediction processing in sensory and motor systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a two-coil single-pulse TMS setup to stimulate distinct brain regions.
• Employed warning cues to predict stimulation sites and measured motor attenuation via motor-evoked potentials.
• Combined TMS with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to simultaneously measure motor (motor-evoked potentials) and auditory (auditory-evoked potentials) attenuation.

Main Results:

• Expectation of TMS over the motor cortex resulted in stronger attenuation, confirming motor system specificity.
• Both motor and auditory potentials showed attenuation for predictable TMS compared to unpredictable TMS.
• The magnitude of auditory attenuation significantly predicted the magnitude of motor attenuation.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated a close correspondence between prediction processing in sensory and motor systems.
• Findings support domain-general properties of predictive coding across distinct neural systems.
• Suggests common mechanisms underlie different forms of predictive learning.