Brain activity across the development of automatic categorization: a comparison of categorization tasks using multi-voxel pattern analysis

TitleBrain activity across the development of automatic categorization: a comparison of categorization tasks using multi-voxel pattern analysis
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsSoto, F. A., Waldschmidt J. G., Helie S., & F Ashby G.
JournalNeuroImage
Volume71
Pagination284-297
Date Published2013 May 01
ISSN1095-9572
KeywordsAdult, Brain, Brain Mapping, Female, Humans, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Learning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Young Adult
Abstract

Previous evidence suggests that relatively separate neural networks underlie initial learning of rule-based and information-integration categorization tasks. With the development of automaticity, categorization behavior in both tasks becomes increasingly similar and exclusively related to activity in cortical regions. The present study uses multi-voxel pattern analysis to directly compare the development of automaticity in different categorization tasks. Each of the three groups of participants received extensive training in a different categorization task: either an information-integration task, or one of two rule-based tasks. Four training sessions were performed inside an MRI scanner. Three different analyses were performed on the imaging data from a number of regions of interest (ROIs). The common patterns analysis had the goal of revealing ROIs with similar patterns of activation across tasks. The unique patterns analysis had the goal of revealing ROIs with dissimilar patterns of activation across tasks. The representational similarity analysis aimed at exploring (1) the similarity of category representations across ROIs and (2) how those patterns of similarities compared across tasks. The results showed that common patterns of activation were present in motor areas and basal ganglia early in training, but only in the former later on. Unique patterns were found in a variety of cortical and subcortical areas early in training, but they were dramatically reduced with training. Finally, patterns of representational similarity between brain regions became increasingly similar across tasks with the development of automaticity.

DOI10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.01.008
Alternate JournalNeuroimage
PubMed ID23333700
PubMed Central IDPMC3628777
Grant ListP01 NS044393 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
P01NS044393 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States