Exploring the role of task success in implicit motor adaptation

The brain is constantly attempting to account for all regularities in the environment. But can pressure to maximize task success undermine our implicit tendancy to adapt to consistent but goal-irrelevant errors? To address this question, I collaborated with Naser Al-Fawakhiri, Ambri Ma, and Prof. Jordan Taylor of the IPA Lab at Princeton University. Our results show that, even without thinking about it, we are sensitive to differences in visual indicators of task success: complete success appears to affect learning more than partial success. These findings support a body of work indicating that implicit learning systems are sensitive to multiple measures of success and accuracy, rather than obeying a unitary error-basaed learning regime.

Motor learning without movement

We are always learning from our mistakes, since the brain is constantly monitoring the world for any surprises, A.K.A. Prediction Errors. For this project, I collaborated with Alex Forrence and Prof. Sam McDougle of the ACT Lab at Yale University to demonstrate that the brain predicts the consequences of planned movements, computes prediction errors, and updates future movements, even if we subsequently decide not to move at all. Thus, the brain can learn to update movements that are not performed, representing a mechanism for learning based only on movement planning and sensory expectation. These findings also provide further support for the role of prediction in motor control.

The inferior olive teaches the cerebellum

When something we expect to happen does not come to pass, we experience a Negative Prediction Error. During my PhD, I worked with Prof. Shogo Ohmae and Prof. Javier Medina at Baylor College of Medicine to demonstrate that the inferior olive encodes negative prediction error signals during motor learning, and triggers extinction in the cerebellum.

How does aging affect movement?

People often think that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but Mary Oliver wrote "probably nothing important is ever that easy . . . Not, say, for the first sixty years" (Hallelujah, lines 6-7). So... which of these statements is true? Come into the lab to help find out which applies more when it comes to the ways we move!

What would we do? Play a simple computer game and fill out some surveys/paper tests

How long would it take? About 45 - 60 minutes

Where? Pettengill Hall, Bates College Campus (Google Maps link for Pettengill Hall; Google Maps link for parking option 1; Google Maps link for parking option 2)

When? Now through August 9

Eligibiltiy requirements: 65 years of age or older, normal/corrected to normal vision, ability to comfortably move the hand/wrist/fingers for 30 minutes, English fluency

Compensation: For participating in this study, you can choose one of two thank-you packages.
1. Buffet-style lunch at Bates Dining Commons (Menu Here - updated weekly) followed by a tour at the Bates College Museum of Art (More museum information here)
or
2. Buffet-style dinner at Bates Dining Commons (Menu Here - updated weekly) followed by a Bates Dance Festival Performance (Performances and Schedules here, available while supplies last)

We can work with up to 5 participants at a time. If you and a few friends are interested, we would be happy to schedule a time when you could all come in for the study together, have a meal, and see some art/dance!

Risks: People with arthritis of the hand/wrist may experience discomfort and may not wish to participate. There are no other risks anticipated in this study.

How to sign up? Contact me (Prof. Olivia Kim) by email (okim@bates.edu) or by phone (207-753-6914) to schedule a session. I am generally available by phone from 9-10AM, 11AM-2PM, and 3PM-7PM. If I miss your call, please leave a message with your name and number so that I can call you back.