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10-Hz Flicker Boosts Early Consolidation of Visual Perceptual Learning via Augmented Glx/GABA Ratio

Poster No:

1059

Submission Type:

Abstract Submission

Authors:

Xin-Yue Yang¹^,2^,3^,4, Qing He⁵, Chuyue Zhao⁶^,7, Zhentao Zuo⁶^,7^,8, Fang Fang¹^,2^,3^,4

Institutions:

¹School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China, ²Key Laboratory of Machine Perception, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China, ³IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China, ⁴Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China, ⁵State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, ⁶Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, ⁷University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sino-Danish College, Beijing, China, ⁸Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China

First Author:

Xin-Yue Yang
School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University|Key Laboratory of Machine Perception, Ministry of Education, Peking University|IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University|Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University
Beijing, China|Beijing, China|Beijing, China|Beijing, China

Co-Author(s):

Qing He
State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing, China

Chuyue Zhao
Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences|University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sino-Danish College
Beijing, China|Beijing, China

Zhentao Zuo
Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences|University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sino-Danish College|Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center
Beijing, China|Beijing, China|Hefei, China

Fang Fang
School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University|Key Laboratory of Machine Perception, Ministry of Education, Peking University|IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University|Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University
Beijing, China|Beijing, China|Beijing, China|Beijing, China

Introduction:

Visual perceptual learning (VPL) refers to the phenomenon where certain aspects of vision obtain sustainable enhancement after extensive training, constituting an important form of neural plasticity in the visual system [1]. VPL consists of multiple stages with different neural substrates [2], among which the stage of early consolidation immediately after training, though documented to be active and plastic [3,4], remains largely elusive. Multiple means of intervention have been used to interfere with early consolidation (disruption [4], facilitation [5]). Repetitive visual stimulation (RVS), as a means of behavioral intervention, was found to evoke LTP-like activities when administrated at alpha (8-12 Hz) frequencies and LTD at 1 Hz [6,7]. Little is known as to how RVS acts on neuronal activation/inhibition and whether it can be harnessed to influence early consolidation of VPL in a directed manner. To probe the neural mechanisms underpinning early consolidation, we implemented RVS immediately after training on a parafoveal orientation discrimination task (ODT). We used 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map out the activated area and used 3T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure the concentrations of excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate (Glx: glutamate and glutamine) and inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in this area during VPL.

Methods:

We conducted a between-subject, single-blind study where 30 healthy volunteers with normal or corrected-to-normal vision were allocated to a 10-Hz (H), 1-Hz (L), or non-frequency (S) flicker group and went over 10 blocks of ODT training (session 1) and 25 minutes of RVS, took a break of 4 hours, and then finished 6 blocks of ODT post-test (session 2). In ODT, two embedded-in-noise gabor patterns with different orientations appeared in succession in the peripheral. Participants answered whether the rotation between gabors was clockwise or counter-clockwise by pressing keys placed under index fingers. In RVS, a sinusoidal grating was flashed in the same location as the gabors at the frequency of each group. Before sessions 1 and 2, we presented a localizer and acquired fMRI data to determine the activation locale corresponding to the gabor location, based on which we defined the field of view (2×2.5×2.5 cm³) in MRS. MRS was acquired using the MEGA PRESS sequence [8] throughout sessions 1 and 2. Data were analyzed using R, a customized Gannet [9] toolbox, and SPSS 24.

Results:

Repeated measures ANOVA of behavioral results showed that group and session had significant interaction (F_interaction(2,26) = 6.364, p = 0.006). 10-Hz flicker in the RVS session resulted in improved orientation discrimination in the post-test, while 1-Hz RVS resulted in detriments to task performance (simple main effect of session with Bonferroni adjustment: p_H = 0.009, p_L = 0.034, p_S = 0.936. Fig. 1). We subsequently analyzed the E/I ratio, calculated as Glx/GABA, using linear mixed effect (LME) models. E/I decreased along VPL training (F_batch(4,51) = 0.322, p = 0.024), indicating that the excitation-inhibition balance shifted to the inhibition side with training participation. Lastly, we found that E/I ratio increased after 10-Hz but not 1-Hz RVS or S-RVS (simple main effect of session: p_H = 0.022, p_L = 0.426, p_S = 0.893. Fig. 2).

Conclusions:

Training-involved neural circuits and newly founded/strengthened neural connections remain plastic for at least 25 minutes after initial encoding in VPL training. The plastic stage of early consolidation opens the opportunity for intervention. 10-Hz RVS upscaled excitatory activities in the task-recruited areas and facilitated early consolidation, while 1-Hz RVS disrupted consolidation. At last, training alone shifted the E/I balance in the inhibitory direction, possibly through sensory adaptation.

Learning and Memory:

Learning and Memory Other ¹

Perception, Attention and Motor Behavior:

Perception: Visual ²

Keywords:

GABA

Glutamate

Learning

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)

Plasticity

Vision

Other - Perceptual Learning

^1|2Indicates the priority used for review

Supporting Image: OHBM2024_YANG_Picture1.png

Supporting Image: OHBM2024_YANG_Picture2.png

Provide references using author date format

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