Passively Improving Face Processing with LTP-like Visual Stimulation
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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
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Received:
19 Feb 2015;
Published Online:
24 Apr 2015.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Felipe Pegado, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium, Felipe.FernandesPegado@ppw.kuleuven.be