Simultaneous sensorimotor adaptation and sequence learning.

Full Abstract

Sensorimotor adaptation and sequence learning have often been treated as distinct forms of motor learning. But frequently the motor system must acquire both types of experience simultaneously. Here, we investigated the interaction of these two forms of motor learning by having subjects adapt to predictable forces imposed by a robotic manipulandum while simultaneously reaching to an implicit sequence of targets. We show that adaptation to novel dynamics and learning of a sequence of movements can occur simultaneously and without significant interference or facilitation. When both conditions were presented simultaneously to subjects, their trajectory error and reaction time decreased to the same extent as those of subjects who experienced the force field or sequence independently.

Author information

Author/s: Overduin, Simon A (SA); Richardson, Andrew G (AG); Bizzi, Emilio (E); Press, Daniel Z (DZ);

Affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. overduin(-atsign-)mit.edu

Grants: K23-MH65434 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Experimental brain research. Experimentelle Hirnforschung. Expérimentation cérébrale (Exp Brain Res), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jan; vol 184 (issue 3) : pp 451-6

Dates: Created 2007/12/14; Completed 2008/05/14; Revised 2008/06/24;

PMID: 18030451, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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