MEG correlates of learning novel objects properties in children

PLoS One. 2013 Jul 31;8(7):e69696. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069696. Print 2013.

Abstract

Learning the functional properties of objects is a core mechanism in the development of conceptual, cognitive and linguistic knowledge in children. The cerebral processes underlying these learning mechanisms remain unclear in adults and unexplored in children. Here, we investigated the neurophysiological patterns underpinning the learning of functions for novel objects in 10-year-old healthy children. Event-related fields (ERFs) were recorded using magnetoencephalography (MEG) during a picture-definition task. Two MEG sessions were administered, separated by a behavioral verbal learning session during which children learned short definitions about the "magical" function of 50 unknown non-objects. Additionally, 50 familiar real objects and 50 other unknown non-objects for which no functions were taught were presented at both MEG sessions. Children learned at least 75% of the 50 proposed definitions in less than one hour, illustrating children's powerful ability to rapidly map new functional meanings to novel objects. Pre- and post-learning ERFs differences were analyzed first in sensor then in source space. Results in sensor space disclosed a learning-dependent modulation of ERFs for newly learned non-objects, developing 500-800 msec after stimulus onset. Analyses in the source space windowed over this late temporal component of interest disclosed underlying activity in right parietal, bilateral orbito-frontal and right temporal regions. Altogether, our results suggest that learning-related evolution in late ERF components over those regions may support the challenging task of rapidly creating new semantic representations supporting the processing of the meaning and functions of novel objects in children.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain Mapping
  • Child
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography / methods*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Semantics
  • Temporal Lobe / physiology
  • Verbal Learning / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology

Grants and funding

CU was supported by a special grant of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Vigneron Foundation) and the ULB-ARC project "Pathophysiology of Memory Consolidation Processes". RS, XDT and SG are supported by Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS). MB is supported by Fund for Research Training in Industry and Agriculture (FRIA). VW was supported by the ULB-ARC project "Pathophysiology of Memory Consolidation Processes". The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.