Anterograde interference emerges along a gradient as a function of task similarity: A behavioural study

Abstract

Anterograde interference emerges when two opposite (B → A) or identical tasks (A → A) are learned in close temporal succession, suggesting that interference cannot be fully accounted for by competing memories. Informed by neurobiological evidence, this work tested the hypothesis that interference depends upon the degree of overlap between the neural networks involved in the learning of two tasks. In a fully within‐subject and counterbalanced design, participants (n = 24) took part in two learning sessions where the putative overlap between learning‐specific neural networks was behaviourally manipulated across four conditions by modifying reach direction and the effector used during gradual visuomotor adaptation. The results showed that anterograde interference emerged regardless of memory competition—that is, to a similar extent in the B → A and A → A conditions—and along a gradient as a function of the tasks' similarity. Specifically, learning under similar reaching conditions generated more anterograde interference than learning under dissimilar reaching conditions, suggesting that putatively overlapping neural networks are required to generate interference. Overall, these results indicate that competing memories are not the sole contributor to anterograde interference and suggest that overlapping neural networks between two learning sessions are required to trigger interference. One discussed possibility is that initial learning modifies the properties of its neural networks to constrain further plasticity induction and learning capabilities, therefore causing anterograde interference in a network‐dependent manner. One implication is that learning‐specific neural networks must be maximally dissociated to minimize the interfering influences of previous learning on subsequent learning.

The effects of post‐learning alcohol ingestion on human motor memory consolidation

“…The motor task to be learned was a gradual visuomotor adaptation protocol. The present apparatus and single‐trial procedures used for every visuomotor adaptation block of the present work are similar to previous work (Hamel, Dallaire‐Jean, et al, 2021; Hamel, de la Fontaine, et al, 2021; Hamel, Lepage, & Bernier, et al, 2021). Briefly, participants performed centre‐out reaching movements towards one of five targets located around a circular array (10 cm radius) from the centre of the virtual environment.…”

“…The purpose of the dominant hand acquisition was to induce learning and then manipulate memory consolidation through alcohol ingestion (see Figure 1). The motor task to be learned consisted of compensating for a gradually introduced visual deviation (see Figure 1b), which was to prevent participants from gaining awareness of the deviation, therefore allowing to carry out a fully within‐subject learning design (Hamel, Dallaire‐Jean, et al, 2021; Hamel, de la Fontaine, et al, 2021; Hamel, Lepage, & Bernier, et al, 2021). Using a gradual rather than abrupt deviation was also to minimize the possible anterograde interference with the subsequent learning in the non‐dominant hand session, as adaptation through a gradually introduced sensorimotor perturbation does not transfer between limbs (Hamel, Lepage, & Bernier, et al, 2021; Malfait & Ostry, 2004; Werner et al, 2019).…”

Interference underlies attenuation upon relearning in sensorimotor adaptation

“…Relearning paradigms have offered an important approach to studying learning and memory. While many studies have demonstrated savings, indicative of latent retention of information that was acquired in the past, implicit sensorimotor adaptation exhibits attenuation upon re-exposure to a previously learned perturbation (Avraham et al, 2021; Hamel et al, 2022, 2021; Leow et al, 2020; Stark-Inbar et al, 2016; Tsay et al, 2021b; Yin and Wei, 2020). The goal of this paper was to identify the mechanisms underlying this attenuation.…”

“…However, by using methods that isolate the contribution of this recalibration process, we have found that implicit sensorimotor adaptation is actually attenuated during relearning (Avraham et al, 2021; see also Hamel et al, 2022, 2021; Leow et al, 2020; Stark-Inbar et al, 2016; Tsay et al, 2021b; Wang and Ivry, 2023; Yin and Wei, 2020). Savings, when observed in adaptation tasks, appears to largely reflect the operation of other learning processes such as the recall of a successful explicit strategy (Avraham et al, 2021; Haith et al, 2015; Huberdeau et al, 2019; Morehead et al, 2015).…”

Loss of Cognitive Flexibility Practice Effects in Female Rats Exposed to Simulated Space Radiation

“…The mechanistic basis for this phenomenon is currently unknown, and may be difficult to determine as the mechanisms underlying anterograde interference are highly complex. For example, a recent study suggests that anterograde interference occurs when overlapping neural networks are utilized in each task learning session, and that the initial learning modifies the properties of its neural networks to constrain further plasticity induction and learning capabilities ( 58 ). Given the documented radiation-induced changes in synaptic function, it is thus possible that exposure further reduces neural network plasticity and anterograde interference avoidance mechanisms.…”