Open AccessDissociable roles of medial and lateral PFC in rule learning
Author(s) -
Cao Bihua,
Li Wei,
Li Fuhong,
Li Hong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.551
Subject(s) - neuroscience , prefrontal cortex , anterior cingulate cortex , functional magnetic resonance imaging , psychology , neural correlates of consciousness , learning rule , dorsum , cognition , cognitive psychology , artificial intelligence , computer science , artificial neural network , anatomy , biology
Although the neural basis of rule learning is of great interest to cognitive neuroscientists, the pattern of transient brain activation during rule discovery remains to be investigated. Method In this study, we measured event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) during distinct phases of rule learning. Twenty‐one healthy human volunteers were presented with a series of cards, each containing a clock‐like display of 12 circles numbered sequentially. Participants were instructed that a fictitious animal would move from one circle to another either in a regular pattern (according to a rule hidden in consecutive trials) or randomly. Participants were then asked to judge whether a given step followed a rule. Results While the rule‐search phase evoked more activation in the posterior lateral prefrontal cortex ( LPFC ), the rule‐following phase caused stronger activation in the anterior medial prefrontal cortex ( MPFC ). Importantly, the intermediate phase, the rule‐discovery phase evoked more activations in MPFC and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex ( dACC ) than rule search, and more activations in LPFC than rule following. Conclusion Therefore, we can conclude that the medial and lateral PFC have dissociable contributions in rule learning.