Abstract Brain networks related to human learning can interact in cooperative but also competitive ways to optimize performance. The investigation of learning and memory processes in a competitive framework is still rare. Previous studies have shown that manipulations reducing the engagement of prefrontal cortical areas could lead to improved statistical learning performance. However, no study has investigated how disruption of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) affects the acquisition and consolidation of non-adjacent second-order dependencies. The present study aimed to test the role of the DLPFC, more specifically, the Brodmann 9 area in implicit temporal statistical learning of non-adjacent dependencies. We applied 1 Hz inhibitory transcranial magnetic stimulation or sham stimulation over both the left and right DLPFC intermittently during the learning. The DLPFC-stimulated group showed better performance compared to the sham group after a 24-hour consolidation period. This finding suggests that the disruption of DLPFC during learning induces qualitative changes in the consolidation of non-adjacent statistical regularities. A possible mechanism behind this result is that the stimulation of the DLPFC promotes a shift to model-free learning by weakening the access to model-based processes.

中文翻译：

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当少即是多：在双边 DLPFC 中断后增强对非相邻依赖性的统计学习

摘要 与人类学习相关的大脑网络可以以合作和竞争的方式交互以优化性能。在竞争框架中对学习和记忆过程的研究仍然很少见。先前的研究表明，减少前额叶皮层区域参与的操作可能会导致统计学习性能的提高。然而，没有研究调查背外侧前额叶皮层 (DLPFC) 的破坏如何影响非相邻二阶依赖性的获得和巩固。本研究旨在测试 DLPFC 的作用，更具体地说，是 Brodmann 9 区域在非相邻依赖的隐式时间统计学习中的作用。我们在学习过程中间歇性地对左右 DLPFC 应用 1 Hz 抑制性经颅磁刺激或假刺激。在 24 小时巩固期后，与假手术组相比，DLPFC 刺激组表现出更好的表现。这一发现表明，学习期间 DLPFC 的中断会导致非相邻统计规律的巩固发生质的变化。这一结果背后的一个可能机制是，DLPFC 的刺激通过削弱对基于模型的过程的访问来促进向无模型学习的转变。这一发现表明，学习期间 DLPFC 的中断会导致非相邻统计规律的巩固发生质的变化。这一结果背后的一个可能机制是，DLPFC 的刺激通过削弱对基于模型的过程的访问来促进向无模型学习的转变。这一发现表明，学习期间 DLPFC 的中断会导致非相邻统计规律的巩固发生质的变化。这一结果背后的一个可能机制是，DLPFC 的刺激通过削弱对基于模型的过程的访问来促进向无模型学习的转变。