Passively Improving Face Processing with LTP-like Visual Stimulation

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Passively Improving Face Processing with LTP-like Visual Stimulation Felipe Pegado1*, Bart Boets1 and Hans OpDeBeeck1 1 KU Leuven University, Belgium Humans can learn and remember complex visual patterns: different faces, objects, places and printed words. Neuroimaging studies have shown that learning about such visual objects is related to changes in specialized areas in high-level visual cortex. Animal studies have characterized learning and memory mechanisms at the cellular level by showing enhanced synaptic strength. Synaptic strength can be artificially enhanced by high-frequency neuronal stimulation (long-term potentiation [LTP]) and reduced by low-frequency stimulation (long-term depression [LTD]). However, the relation between the systems-level and the synaptic level has been largely neglected in the study of high-level visual learning. Recently, stimulation protocols have begun to be applied in humans, showing selective learning through non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g. TMS) and even through sensorial stimulation. For the first time, we translated this principle to high-level vision, passively manipulating face processing in humans. A face discrimination task was applied before and after passive stimulation protocols with faces stimuli (LTP-like vs LTD-like). The results show differential changes in performance, with the LTP-like group outperforming the LTD-like group, despite equivalent baseline performances. This outcome was replicated on each of three test blocks after stimulation and effects were even robust at the single-subject level. The present work represents a proof of principle that this bottom-up learning approach can be used to i) provide a new perspective on the neural mechanisms of high-level visual learning (e.g., face processing); ii) test neural plasticity of specific neural circuits in clinical populations (e.g., networks for face processing in autism) and iii) test the potential therapeutic value of targeted visual learning interventions (e.g., to improve particular aspects of face processing in autism), with the advantage of being non-invasive, easy to set-up and effortless. Keywords: autism, face processing, high-level vision, Translational research, LTP-like, passive learning Conference: XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 27 Jul - 31 Jul, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Memory and Learning Citation: Pegado F, Boets B and OpDeBeeck H (2015). Passively Improving Face Processing with LTP-like Visual Stimulation. Conference Abstract: XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2015.217.00239 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 19 Feb 2015; Published Online: 24 Apr 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Felipe Pegado, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium, Felipe.FernandesPegado@ppw.kuleuven.be Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Felipe Pegado Bart Boets Hans OpDeBeeck Google Felipe Pegado Bart Boets Hans OpDeBeeck Google Scholar Felipe Pegado Bart Boets Hans OpDeBeeck PubMed Felipe Pegado Bart Boets Hans OpDeBeeck Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.