Enhanced transformation of incidentally learned knowledge into explicit memory by dopaminergic modulation.

摘要: During incidental learning statistical regularities are extracted from the environment without intention to learn. Acquired implicit memory of these can affect behavior in absence awareness. However, conscious insight underlying also develop during learning. Such emergence explicit is an important mechanism that assumed involve prediction errors striatum and be dopamine-dependent. Here we directly tested this hypothesis by manipulating dopamine levels a modified serial reaction time task (SRTT) featuring hidden regular sequence motor responses placebo-controlled between-group study. Awareness for sequential regularity was subsequently assessed using cued generation additionally verified free recall. The results demonstrated dopaminergic modulation nearly doubled amount knowledge emerged comparison placebo group. This strong effect clearly argues causal role dopamine-dependent processing development awareness