2016-10-20
Cerebellar tDCS does not improve performance in probabilistic classification learning
Publication
Publication
In this study, the role of the cerebellum in a cognitive learning task using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was investigated. Using a weather prediction task, subjects had to learn the probabilistic associations between a stimulus (a combination of cards) and an outcome (sun or rain). This task is a variant of a probabilistic classification learning task, for which it has been reported that prefrontal tDCS enhances performance. Using a between-subject design, all 30 subjects learned to improve their performance with increasing accuracies and shortened response times over a series of 500 trials. Subjects also became more confident in their prediction during the experiment. However, no differences in performance and learning were observed between subjects receiving sham stimulation (n = 10) or anodal stimulation (2 mA for 20 min) over either the right cerebellum (n = 10) or the left prefrontal cortex (n = 10). This suggests that stimulating the brain with cerebellar tDCS does not readily influence probabilistic classification performances, probably due to the rather complex nature of this cognitive task.
| Additional Metadata | |
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| Keywords | learning, cerebellum, frontal cortex, tDCS, cognition |
| Persistent URL | dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00221-016-4800-8, hdl.handle.net/1765/104263 |
| Journal | Experimental Brain Research |
| Citation |
Seyed Majidi, N, Verhage, M.C, Donchin, O, Holland, P.J, Frens, M.A, & van der Geest, J.N. (2016). Cerebellar tDCS does not improve performance in probabilistic classification learning. Experimental Brain Research, (235), 412–428. doi:10.1007/s00221-016-4800-8
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