Recurrent Processing Drives Perceptual Plasticity

• Published in: Current biology 2020-11, Vol.30 (21), p.4177-4187.e4
• Main Authors: Jia, Ke, Zamboni, Elisa, Kemper, Valentin, Rua, Catarina, Goncalves, Nuno Reis, Ng, Adrian Ka Tsun, Rodgers, Christopher T., Williams, Guy, Goebel, Rainer, Kourtzi, Zoe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; experience-dependent plasticity; Female; Humans; layer-to-layer functional connectivity; learning; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Orientation, Spatial - physiology; perceptual decisions; Photic Stimulation - methods; Spatial Learning - physiology; ultra-high-field brain imaging; visual cortex; Visual Cortex - diagnostic imaging; Visual Cortex - physiology; Visual Perception - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0960-9822; 1879-0445
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.08.016

Learning and experience are critical for translating ambiguous sensory information from our environments to perceptual decisions. Yet evidence on how training molds the adult human brain remains controversial, as fMRI at standard resolution does not allow us to discern the finer scale mechanisms that underlie sensory plasticity. Here, we combine ultra-high-field (7T) functional imaging at sub-millimeter resolution with orientation discrimination training to interrogate experience-dependent plasticity across cortical depths that are known to support dissociable brain computations. We demonstrate that learning alters orientation-specific representations in superficial rather than middle or deeper V1 layers, consistent with recurrent plasticity mechanisms via horizontal connections. Further, learning increases feedforward rather than feedback layer-to-layer connectivity in occipito-parietal regions, suggesting that sensory plasticity gates perceptual decisions. Our findings reveal finer scale plasticity mechanisms that re-weight sensory signals to inform improved decisions, bridging the gap between micro- and macro-circuits of experience-dependent plasticity. •Discrimination training alters orientation representations in superficial V1 layers•Orientation-specific V1 plasticity is independent of task context•Discrimination training alters orientation representations in middle IPS layers•Learning enhances feedforward connectivity from visual to parietal cortex Using high-field laminar fMRI, Jia et al. show that learning alters orientation-specific representations in superficial V1 layers and enhances connectivity from visual to parietal cortex, suggesting that recurrent visual plasticity and feedforward connectivity gate perceptual decision making.