Serial reaction time performance following right parietal lobe damage

J Neuropsychol. 2008 Sep;2(Pt 2):509-14. doi: 10.1348/174866407X269767.

Abstract

The serial reaction time task (SRT) is used to assess implicit sequence learning. Neuroimaging studies implicate parietal involvement; however, the necessity of this area is unclear. We tested six unilateral right parietal patients and compared their performance to matched controls. Both groups showed similar levels of learning and explicit awareness. Two patients with the largest lesions extending into either frontal or cerebellar regions showed no learning. These data suggest that implicit sequence learning can occur despite damage to the right parietal lobe.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Injuries / pathology*
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Parietal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Reaction Time / physiology*
  • Serial Learning / physiology*