Testosterone induces off-line perceptual learning
Abstract
RATIONALE: Perceptual learning operates on distinct timescales. How different neuromodulatory systems impact on learning across these different timescales is poorly understood.
OBJECTIVES: Here, we test the causal impact of a novel influence on perceptual learning, the androgen hormone testosterone, across distinct timescales.
METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo- controlled, cross-over study with testosterone, subjects undertook a simple contrast detection task during training sessions on two separate days.
RESULTS: On placebo, there was no learning either within training sessions or between days, except for a fast, rapidly saturating, improvement early on each testing day. However, testosterone caused "off-line" learning, with no learning seen within training sessions, but a marked performance improvement over the days between sessions. This testosterone-induced learning occurred in the absence of changes in subjective confidence or introspective accuracy.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that testosterone influences perceptual learning on a timescale consistent with an influence on "off-line" consolidation processes.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
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