The Comodification of Brain Activity, Functional Connectivity, and Behavior Following Learning

Abstract

Skill acquisition is a complex process which involves experience-dependent reorganization of functional brain networks. Learning-derived modifications have been widely reported, in both task-evoked neural activity and resting-state functional connectivity (FC). Taking the close correspondence between the two into account, in this work, we investigated FC alterations following learning and their relations to changes in activity and to behavioral learning outcomes. Hearing individuals naive to sign languages ( n  = 79, 50 females) attended an extensive Israeli Sign Language course and underwent task and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans before and after learning. We found widespread changes in the functional connectome, which exhibited significant spatial correspondence with changes in task-derived activation maps, suggesting coordinated reorganization mechanisms. Furthermore, post-learning FC was predictive of behavioral sign language test scores obtained immediately following learning and 6 months later, associating functional connections with short- and long-term learning outcomes. Together, these findings suggest a tight link between task-evoked activity and FC changes following learning and further associate connectivity with behavioral outcomes.