Peculiarities of EEG activity parameters during implicit learning of artificial grammar rules

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Abstract

We studied changes in the bioelectrical activity of the brain during implicit learning. The study showed that implicit learning is associated with an increase in amplitude in the α1-, α2- and θ-frequency ranges, mainly in the frontotemporal areas of the cortex. In the higher frequency β range, there is also an increase in amplitude, most significantly in the parieto-occipital and partially frontal areas of the cortex. The observed changes suggest that implicit learning is based on the interaction of two relatively independent neural networks in the brain. The frontotemporal cortex and α1- and θ-frequency oscillatory systems are responsible for processing information and identifying relevant sequences. Whereas the parieto-occipital regions and the oscillatory systems of β2- and α3-rhythms are likely to provide processes for anticipating and preparing a response to relevant sequences and ignoring irrelevant ones.

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About the authors

V. A. Batalova

Sirius University of Science and Technology

Email: ksp55@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Sochi

V. V. Petrov

Sirius University of Science and Technology

Email: ksp55@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Sochi

S. R. Abramova

Udmurt State University

Email: ksp55@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Izhevsk

S. P. Kozhevnikov

Udmurt State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: ksp55@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Izhevsk

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Forming scheme and examples of implicit letter sequences (Reber, 1967).

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3. Fig. 2. Results of different types of learning in the studied groups. Notes: * – significant differences from explicit learning.

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4. Fig. 3. Comparison of the amplitude of the θ-rhythm during the different types of learning. Notes: comparison by factors Group/Region/Hemisphere.

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5. Fig. 4. Comparison of the amplitude of the α3-rhythm during the different types of learning. Notes: comparison by factors Group/Region.

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6. Fig. 5. Comparison of the amplitude of the β2-rhythm during the different types of learning. Notes: comparison by factors Group/Region.

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