CORTICAL FUNCTIONAL REORGANIZATION IN MOTOR SEQUENCE LEARNING: A FNIRS STUDY

Abstract

The study examined functional reorganization at various stages of motor sequence learning with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Behavioral measures and hemodynamic changes were investigated in implicit and explicit learning processes, as motor sequence learning progressed from the rapid early learning phase, to the slow delay learning phase, until task automaticity is attained. Participants performed a 12-element finger tapping task with a repeated sequence (learning condition) and a set of pseudo-random sequences (no-learning condition) for seven sessions using their non-dominant left hand. Learning-related changes were observed in the left dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), supplementary motor area (SMA), pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and right primary motor cortex (M1). Activities in DLPFC and SMA suggest that implicit and explicit processes can be competitive. Results show that changes in brain activation patterns during motor sequence learning are influenced by the interplay of implicit and explicit processes, and the stage of motor learning.