Implicit motor-sequence learning in humans following unilateral stroke: the impact of practice and explicit knowledge

Learning and memory are sub-served by two interrelated systems - explicit a nd implicit. Explicit memory involves facts, while one form of implicit mem ory involves perceptual-motor processes. The purpose of this series of expe riments was to investigate the ability of individuals with stroke-related b rain damage to demonstrate implicit motor-sequence learning and the relativ e impacts of (1) extended practice, or (2) explicit knowledge prior to prac tice. Implicit learning was severely impaired without explicit knowledge an d even under conditions of extended practice. However, when explicit knowle dge was provided prior to practice, participants with stroke demonstrated i mplicit motor-sequence learning. These data suggest that following unilater al stroke, providing explicit information about the task and sequence can a ttenuate implicit motor learning deficits. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.