Novelty exposure induces stronger sensorimotor representations during a manual adaptation task

Abstract

Active exploration of novel spatial environments enhances memory for subsequently presented explicit, declarative information in humans. These effects have been attributed to novelty promoting dopamine release via mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways in the brain. As procedural motor learning has been linked to dopamine as well, we predict that novelty effects extend to this domain. To test this hypothesis, the present study examined whether spatial novelty exploration benefits subsequent sensorimotor adaptation. Participants explored either two different virtual environments (i.e., novelty condition; n = 210) or two identical environments (i.e., familiar condition; n = 253). They then performed a manual adaptation task in which they had to adapt joystick movements to a visual perturbation. We assessed the rate of adaptation following the introduction of this perturbation, and the rate of deadaptation following its removal. While results showed reliable adaptation patterns and similar adaptation rates across both conditions, individuals in the novelty condition showed slower deadaptation. This suggests that exposure to spatial novelty induced stronger sensorimotor representations during adaptation, potentially through novelty-induced dopaminergic effects in mesocortical and/or nigrostriatal pathways. Novelty exposure may be employed to promote motor learning on tasks that require precision movements in altered sensory contexts, for example, in astronauts moving in microgravity or patients with impaired motor processing.

Developmental and age differences in visuomotor adaptation across the lifespan

“…Participants were part of a larger study that examined novelty effects on learning and was conducted at Science Live, an innovative research program of the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands which gives visitors the opportunity to volunteer to participate in scientific research. Results regarding the novelty manipulation have been reported elsewhere (Ruitenberg et al, 2022;Schomaker et al, 2022); here, we present novel findings and only analyze data from participants in the control group (i.e., 253 individuals not subjected to the novelty manipulation). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants or their parents in the case of minors.…”

“…The manual visuomotor adaptation task used in the present study has been used extensively to study adaptation learning by us and others (e.g., Anguera et al, 2010 , 2011 ; Lametti et al, 2020 ; Mazzoni & Krakauer, 2006 ; Ruitenberg et al, 2018a , 2018b ; Sainburg & Wang, 2002 ; Seidler, 2005 , 2006 ; Seidler et al, 2006 ). A detailed description of the current version of the task is provided in Ruitenberg et al ( 2022 ). In brief, participants used a dual axis joystick with their preferred hand to hit targets presented on a laptop screen.…”

“…As part of the larger study, participants performed a battery involving different tasks including the exploration of two virtual environments. Participants in the present study all explored the same virtual environment twice and were not exposed to novelty; they thus served as control subjects for the overall study (Ruitenberg et al, 2022 ; Schomaker et al, 2022 ). They subsequently performed a word-learning task, the motor adaptation task, and a landmark memory task (for details and results regarding the word learning and landmark tasks, see Schomaker et al, 2022 ).…”

Effects of exploring a novel environment on memory across the lifespan

“…Recall was quantified by the percentage correctly remembered words, while recognition was quantified by the corrected hit rate (CHR = percentage old hits – percentage new false alarms). Next, participants performed a visuomotor adaptation task , which was completed in 2–3 min (results published in 54 ).…”

Reduction in the activity of VTA/SNc dopaminergic neurons underlies aging-related decline in novelty seeking

“…The curiosity of human beings is specifically a driving force for scientific discovery, ultimately advancing human civilization 3 . On the other hand, cognitively, curiosity (or novelty seeking) can improve explicit memory 4 – 8 and motor learning 9 . Intrapersonally, curiosity is positively associated with life satisfaction and well-being 10 , 11 .…”