Associative Learning Increases Trial-by-Trial Similarity of BOLD-MRI Patterns

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2178-11.2011
• Publication Date: 2011-08-17T19:10:40Z
• Authors: Renée M. Visser; H. Steven Scholte; Merel Kindt
• Keywords: Associative property; Stimulus (psychology); Associative learning; Similarity (geometry); Brain mapping

Associative learning is a dynamic process that allows us to incorporate new knowledge within existing semantic networks. Even after years, seemingly stable association can be altered by single significant experience. Here, we investigate whether the acquisition of associations affects neural representation stimuli and how brain categorizes according preexisting emerging associations. Functional MRI data were collected during differential fear conditioning procedure at test (4-5 weeks later). Two pictures faces two houses served as stimuli. One each pair coterminated with shock in half trials (partial reinforcement). Applying Multivoxel Pattern Analysis (MVPA) trial-by-trial manner, quantified changes similarity representations over course conditioning. Our findings show an increase patterns throughout cortex on consecutive reinforced Furthermore, pattern reveals shift from original categories (faces/houses) toward (reinforced/unreinforced) This effect was differentially represented cortex, visual areas primarily reflecting low-level stimulus properties (original categories) frontal significance (new categories). Effects not dependent overall response amplitude still present follow-up. We conclude MVPA useful tool for examining human encodes relevant forms associative