Abstract
Previous studies have examined the neural correlates for crossmodal paired-associate (PA) memory and the temporal dynamics of its formation. However, the neural dynamics for feedback processing of crossmodal PA learning remain unclear. To examine this process, we recorded event-related scalp electrical potentials for PA learning of unimodal visual-visual pairs and crossmodal visual-tactile pairs when participants performed unimodal and crossmodal tasks. We examined event-related potentials (ERPs) after the onset of feedback in the tasks for three effects: feedback type (positive feedback vs. negative feedback), learning (as the learning progressed) and the task modality (crossmodal vs. unimodal). The results were as follows: (1) feedback type: the amplitude of P300 decreased with incorrect trials and the P400/N400 complex was only present in incorrect trials; (2) learning: progressive positive voltage shifts in frontal recording sites and negative voltage shifts in central and posterior recording sites were identified as learning proceeded; and (3) task modality: compared with the unimodal PA learning task, positive voltage shifts in frontal sites and negative voltage shifts in posterior sites were found in the crossmodal PA learning task. To sum up, these results shed light on cortical excitability related to feedback processing of crossmodal PA learning.
Highlights
Establishment of associations between items is of great importance for humans to adapt to dynamically changing environment
Our main findings are: (1) in the feedback period, the P300 decreased with incorrect trials and the P400/N400 complex was only present in incorrect trials; (2) progressive positive voltage shifts were observed in frontal recording sites and negative voltage shifts in central and posterior recording sites as learning proceeded; and (3) positive voltage shifts in frontal sites and negative voltage shifts in posterior sites were observed in the crossmodal PA learning task, compared with the unimodal PA learning task
Our current data demonstrated that the P300 component in central recording sites and the P400/N400 complex in the frontal and posterior recording sites displayed the effect of feedback type during the feedback processing period in both the crossmodal and unimodal PA learning tasks
Summary
Establishment of associations between items is of great importance for humans to adapt to dynamically changing environment. One of our recent studies (Gui et al, 2017) has demonstrated that middle-stage and late-stage event-related potentials (ERPs; e.g., P400 and a late posterior negative slow wave) during the retention phase of working memory tasks differ between two types of paired-associate (PA) learning (crossmodal vs unimodal), supporting the notion that the particular neural substrates or neural dynamics are involved in crossmodal working memory and PA learning. In those working memory tasks, participants learned the paired association between stimuli through feedback information in task trials (correct vs incorrect). It is still unclear how cortical activities (ERPs) related to feedback processing of crossmodal PA learning are modulated during the feedback period of the tasks
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call