Neuroscientific Correlates of Learning to Diagnose Chest X-Rays: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

• In Event: 35.038 - Simulation and Technology

Abstract

The objective was to determine the neuroscientific correlates of a visual learning task in which medical students had to diagnose chest x-rays. It was hypothesised that a decrease in prefrontal cortex activation is an indication of progressive learning and increased levels of expertise. Ten premedical students participated in the study. Participants had to complete an adaptive learning program during which they were trained to diagnose chest x-rays. During learning, their pre-frontal cortex activity was scanned using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. As behavioural indicators, response time, diagnostic accuracy, and transfer of learning were recorded. The data demonstrate that successful learning of visual diagnosis manifest itself by a significant decrease in brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Authors

• Jerome I. Rotgans, Nanyang Technological University

• Henk G. Schmidt, Erasmus University Rotterdam

• Ying Yun Juliana Koh, Nanyang Technological University

• Naomi Low-Beer, Nanyang Technological University

• Preman Rajalingam, Nanyang Technological University

• Lucy Victoria Rosby, Nanyang Technological University