Neural Mechanisms of the Contextual Interference Effect: A fNIRs and EEG Study

Drexel University20 enrolled

Overview

The overall goal of this study is to gain insight into the neural mechanisms of learning multiple tasks. By examination of cognitive and behavioral output during the performance and learning of several computer maze tasks, and through a detailed examination of the neural activity obtained from functional near-infrared (fNIR) and electroencephalography (EEG), it may be possible to gain insight into the impact of the amount of practice and the organization of practice has on learning fine motor skills. This insight may provide direction as to how to better develop instructional and rehabilitation protocols in addition to clinical interventions to facilitate recovery of function, relearning and transfer of cognitive and fine motor skills based upon neural responses to physical practice.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Healthy Individuals Learning

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 55 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 to 55 years of age * vision correctable to 20/20 * right-handed * English is first language or learned English before age of 5 years Exclusion Criteria: * 17 years or younger and 56 years or older * pregnant * have latex or tape adhesives allergies * self-exclude if: * had a history of seizures, head injury or neurological dysfunction * history or diagnosis of depression, schizophrenia or social phobia * previous admission to alcohol/drug treatment program or diagnosis of alcohol/drug abuse * take medications know to affect neurological function.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

metabolic measures of neural activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) uses specific wavelets of light, that are introduced at the scalp to measure changes in the relative ratios of deoxygenated hemoglobin and oxygenated hemoglobin in the capillary beds during brain activity.

Time frame: outcomes measured 72 - 96 hours post-training

Secondary Outcomes

Behavioral measures

maze behavioral responses of time to traverse the maze (sec), distance traveled (pixels)and average maze velocity (pixels/sec) are calculated.

Time frame: measured 72-96 hours post training