Age-related learning difficulty through trial-and-error method associated with decreased default mode network integration in healthy middle-aged adults.
Madoka Yamashita, Tetsuya Shimokawa, Rumi Tanemura
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology May 2023 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2242106 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study using graph theoretical analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | Healthy middle-aged adults |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Keywords | Aging Cognitive rehabilitation Errorless learning Trial-and-error learning |
| Key findings | Age showed moderate negative correlations with trial-and-error (T&E) learning scores and with within-default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity in the test state following T&E learning, but no significant correlations with errorless (EL) learning scores or within-DMN connectivity in the EL learning or test states. The authors argue that age-related learning decline is associated with decreased DMN integration specifically when the T&E method is used, even in healthy middle-aged adults. |
Abstract
Efficient learning is critical to adapting to different environments. There are well-known learning principles in cognitive rehabilitation, including errorless (EL) and trial-and-error (T&E) learning; however, little is known about their underlying neural mechanisms. In the current study, to understand the age-related changes in learning benefits and neural mechanisms applying EL and T&E learning methods in healthy middle-aged adults, we conducted a graph theoretical analysis using functional magnetic resonance imaging data and analyzed the relationship between learning benefits and age, as well as functional network connectivity and age, with both learning principles. A total of 43 participants performed a color-name association task through EL and T&E learning methods. We focused on the functional connectivity patterns of the default mode network (DMN) since previous studies demonstrated this network to be more distinctive and important for the T&E learning method than EL. Within-network functional connectivity was used as the graph metric. Age showed significant moderate negative correlations with T&E scores and within-DMN functional connectivity in the test state following T&E learning. Conversely, age was not significantly correlated with EL scores or within-DMN functional connectivity in either the EL learning or test states. Our findings demonstrate the age-related learning decline associated with decreased DMN integration with aging, when applying the T&E method but not the EL method, even in healthy middle-aged adults. Relationships between the underlying neural network and age are different depending on the learning method. This suggests the need to take into consideration the remaining learning ability through the T&E learning method compared to normal aging and to utilize residual DMN functioning, in addition to the comparison between score differences between EL and T&E methods, when tailoring an individual learning approach.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on default mode network, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A default mode of brain function Normal adult human brain | 2001 | Observational study | |
| Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational cohort | |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| The precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the default mode network: Evidence from a partial correlation network analysis Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational study |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Patterns of Brain Activity Supporting Autobiographical Memory, Prospection, and Theory of Mind, and Their Relationship to the Default Mode Network Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience July 6, 2009
- Episodic Memory Retrieval, Parietal Cortex, and the Default Mode Network: Functional and Topographic Analyses Journal of Neuroscience March 23, 2011
- Age-related alterations in default mode network: Impact on working memory performance Neurobiology of Aging August 1, 2008
- The Longitudinal Trajectory of Default Mode Network Connectivity in Healthy Older Adults Varies As a Function of Age and Is Associated with Changes in Episodic Memory and Processing Speed Journal of Neuroscience February 13, 2018