What neurological diseases tell us about procedural perceptual-motor learning? A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Procedural perceptual-motor learning of sequences (PPMLS) provides perceptual-motor skills in many activities of daily living. Based on behavioral and neuroimaging results, theoretical models of PPMLS postulate that the cortico-striatal loop, the cortico-cerebellar loop and the hippocampus are specifically involved in the early stage of PPMLS while the cortico-striatal loop would be specifically involved in the late stage of PPMLS. Hence, current models predict that the early stage of PPMLS should be impaired in Parkinson's disease (PD: lesion of the cortico-striatal loop), in cerebellar disease (CD: lesion of the cortico-cerebellar loop) and in Alzheimer's disease (AD: lesion of the hippocampus), whereas the late stage of PPMLS should be specifically impaired in PD.

Objective: The aim of the study is (1) to draw a complete picture of experimental results on PPMLS in PD, CD and AD (2) to understand heterogeneity of results as regard to participant and task characteristics.

Method: This review is based on the guideline proposed by the PRISMA statement.

Results: Our review reveals (1) that the experimental results clarify the theoretical models and (2) that the impairment of PPMLS depends on both the personal characteristics of the participants and the characteristics of the task to-be-learnt rather than on the disease itself.

Conclusion: Our results highlight that these characteristics should be more carefully considered to understand the heterogeneity of results across studies on PPMLS and the effects of rehabilitation programs.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Cerebellar lesions; Parkinson’s disease; Procedural memory; Serial reaction time task (SRTT).