Neuromodulation of reinforced skill learning reveals the causal function of prefrontal cortex.

ABSTRACT: Accumulating evidence has suggested functional interactions between prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dissociable large-scale networks. However, how these networks interact in the human brain to enable complex behaviors is not well-understood. Here, using a combination of behavioral, brain stimulation and neuroimaging paradigms, we tested the hypothesis that human PFC is required for successful reinforced skill formation. We additionally tested the extent to which PFC-dependent skill formation is related to intrinsic functional communication with this region. We report that inhibitory noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation over lateral PFC, a hub region with a diverse connectivity profile, causally modulated effective reinforcement-based motor skill acquisition. Furthermore, PFC-dependent

SUBMITTER: Dayan E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6866473 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature