Learning to optimize perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in the human brain

Polytimi Frangou, Uzay E. Emir, Vasilis M. Karlaftis, Caroline Nettekoven, Emily L. Hinson, Stephanie Larcombe, Holly Bridge, Charlotte J. Stagg and Zoe Kourtzi ()
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Polytimi Frangou: University of Cambridge
Uzay E. Emir: Purdue University School of Health Sciences
Vasilis M. Karlaftis: University of Cambridge
Caroline Nettekoven: University of Oxford
Emily L. Hinson: University of Oxford
Stephanie Larcombe: University of Oxford
Holly Bridge: University of Oxford
Charlotte J. Stagg: University of Oxford
Zoe Kourtzi: University of Cambridge

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Translating noisy sensory signals to perceptual decisions is critical for successful interactions in complex environments. Learning is known to improve perceptual judgments by filtering external noise and task-irrelevant information. Yet, little is known about the brain mechanisms that mediate learning-dependent suppression. Here, we employ ultra-high field magnetic resonance spectroscopy of GABA to test whether suppressive processing in decision-related and visual areas facilitates perceptual judgments during training. We demonstrate that parietal GABA relates to suppression of task-irrelevant information, while learning-dependent changes in visual GABA relate to enhanced performance in target detection and feature discrimination tasks. Combining GABA measurements with functional brain connectivity demonstrates that training on a target detection task involves local connectivity and disinhibition of visual cortex, while training on a feature discrimination task involves inter-cortical interactions that relate to suppressive visual processing. Our findings provide evidence that learning optimizes perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in decision-related networks.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08313-y

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