“Perceptual learning: Mechanisms, functions, and enhancements”
Dr. Fang Fang1, 2, 3
1School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, 2PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, 3Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Date/Time
Monday, October 31 2022, 15:40-16:30
Abstract
Perceptual learning refers to remarkable improvement in perceptual sensitivity after intensive training. It is a popular model for studying cortical plasticity, especially in human adults. My talk has three parts. In the first part, I introduce the neural mechanisms of perceptual learning. The neural mechanisms of discrimination perceptual learning are implemented by refining the neural representations of trained stimuli at the sensory processing stage, as well as by optimizing the connections or weights between sensory and decision-making areas in the brain. Detection perceptual learning is subserved by amplification of neural signals tuned to trained stimuli. In the second part, I show two additional functions of perceptual learning. One is modifying the inherent functional specializations of visual cortical areas. The other is alleviating visual crowding by shrinking the population receptive field sizes in V2. In the third part, I demonstrate that perceptual learning can be speeded and enhanced by training with a partner (i.e., dyadic perceptual learning), 10 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) during training, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during awake consolidation.