Investigating the effects of perceptual learning on the function and microstructure of the visual cortex

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buir.advisorBoyacı, Hüseyin
dc.contributor.authorErişen, Dilara
dc.date.accessioned2021-01-04T13:14:46Z
dc.date.available2021-01-04T13:14:46Z
dc.date.copyright2020-12
dc.date.issued2020-12
dc.date.submitted2020-12-30
dc.departmentGraduate Program in Neuroscienceen_US
dc.descriptionCataloged from PDF version of article.en_US
dc.descriptionThesis (M.S.): Bilkent University, Department of Neuroscience, İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University, 2020.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 56-62).en_US
dc.description.abstractPerceptual learning is the long-term improvement of the ability to process sensory stimuli through experience. Although an extensively studied field, the mechanism and locus of plasticity underlying visual perceptual learning is subject of debate. Here, we investigated the experience-dependent plasticity in the visual cortex across the time course of perceptual learning of bisection discrimination task. Population receptive field (pRF) analysis was used to examine functional architecture of the visual cortex. Microstructural properties of the visual cortex were characterized with neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). We compared pre-, mid-, and post-training values of pRF size, neurite density, and orientation dispersion in the trained location as well as in two control locations where no training has been received. The values in the trained location did not change with time and did not differ from control locations. In addition, we assessed the microstructural properties in the white matter tract between the training location and the mirror-symmetric control location and did not observe any change with training. In conclusion, we found no training-related changes in the early visual cortex (V1-V3). Our results are limited by the lack of performance improvement with training and the small sample size. Moreover, we were not able to identify visual areas beyond V1-V3 leaving high-level visual areas unexplored. Suggestions for further research include redesigning the behavioral training paradigm, optimization of pRF protocol to identify high-level visual areas, and repeating the study with a larger sample size.en_US
dc.description.degreeM.S.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Dilara Erişenen_US
dc.format.extentxi, 62 leaves : color illustrations, color charts ; 30 cm.en_US
dc.identifier.itemidB130882
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11693/54867
dc.language.isoEnglishen_US
dc.publisherBilkent Universityen_US
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessen_US
dc.subjectVisual perceptual learningen_US
dc.subjectBisection discrimination tasken_US
dc.subjectPopulation receptive field analysisen_US
dc.subjectNoddien_US
dc.subjectExperience-dependent neuroplasticityen_US
dc.titleInvestigating the effects of perceptual learning on the function and microstructure of the visual cortexen_US
dc.title.alternativeAlgısal öğrenmenin görsel korteksin işlevi ve mikro yapısı üzerindeki etkilerinin araştırılmasıen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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