Resting-State Alpha-Band Functional Connectivity Predicts Implicit Motor Adaptation in a Serial Reaction Time Task

Understanding motor learning mechanisms could help find new approaches in motor neurorehabilitation. We used the classical Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT) to study motor learning in healthy subjects. The aim was to investigate its neural basis by asking whether neural interactions, i.e., functional connectivity (FC), during a task-free resting-state influence implicit sequence learning and consolidation. Contrary to what was expected, neither online implicit motor learning nor offline consolidation of the sequence was found. Instead, a rapid and transient effect on response times appeared every time a repeated sequence was followed by random trials. We argue that this effect, commonly observed with the SRTT, is a form of motor adaptation rather than learning. A significant positive correlation was found between this adaptation and global FC of the basal ganglia during the resting-state period preceding the task. This suggests that strategies geared towards enhancing resting-state neural interactions of key nodes for motor skills may be increase the efficacy of physical therapy.