Serial Reaction Time Task with fMRI
Objective: Examine the neural basis of motor skill automaticity by testing subjects in a serial reaction time task under single-task and dual-task conditions, using diminishing dual-task cost as an index of automaticity
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Equipment1
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Protocol Steps
Initial fMRI Session - Single-task and Dual-task SRT
Subjects performed the serial reaction time task during the first functional MRI session under both single-task and dual-task conditions to establish baseline neural activation patterns before behavioral training
Note: This session establishes pre-training neural correlates of dual-task performance
View evidence from paper
“Before behavioral training, performance of the SRT task concurrently with the secondary task elicited activation in a wide network of frontal and striatal regions, as well as parietal lobe”
Behavioral Training Period
Subjects underwent 3 hours of behavioral training on the serial reaction time task over multiple days between the two fMRI sessions
Note: This training period allows subjects to develop automaticity in the SRT task
View evidence from paper
“Subjects performed the SRT task during two functional magnetic imaging sessions separated by 3 h of behavioral training over multiple days”
Second fMRI Session - Single-task and Dual-task SRT
Subjects performed the serial reaction time task during the second functional MRI session under both single-task and dual-task conditions after completing the behavioral training period
Note: This session measures post-training neural activation patterns to assess changes associated with automaticity development
View evidence from paper
“After extensive behavioral training, dual-task performance showed comparatively less activity in bilateral ventral premotor regions, right middle frontal gyrus, and right caudate body”