Implicit adaptation to visual rotations during fast reaching is a well-recognized function of the cerebellum. However, there is still no well-established understanding of the neural underpinnings that support explicit processes during visuomotor adaptation. We tested the causative involvement of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in an adaptive reaching task by employing excitatory intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to left or right DLPFC during learning to adapt to a sudden large visual rotation with delayed terminal feedback. Spontaneous resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) signals were recorded before and immediately after the administration of iTBS. iTBS to right DLPFC, compared to left DLPFC or control, induced faster adaptation to the rotation and had a greater adjustment of aiming directions in early adaptation trials. Moreover, resting-state functional connectivity of EEG of the frontal cortex after iTBS predicted subsequent adaptation rate. These results suggest a critical role of right DLPFC in supporting explicit learning in the adaptive reaching task.

快速到达过程中对视觉旋转的隐式适应是小脑的公认功能。但是，对于支持视觉运动适应过程中显式过程的神经基础，仍然缺乏公认的理解。我们通过在学习过程中对左或右DLPFC进行兴奋性间歇性θ爆发刺激（iTBS），以适应突然的大型视觉旋转并延迟终端反馈，测试了背外侧前额叶皮层（DLPFC）在适应性到达任务中的因果关系。在服用iTBS之前和之后立即记录自发性静息状态脑电图（EEG）信号。与左DLPFC或控件相比，向右DLPFC的iTBS可以更快地适应旋转，并且在早期适应性试验中对瞄准方向的调整更大。此外，iTBS后额叶皮层脑电图的静止状态功能连接预测了后续的适应率。这些结果表明正确的DLPFC在支持自适应到达任务中的显式学习中起着至关重要的作用。