Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Enhances Probabilistic Learning

Büyükgüdük, İlkim | Geraldine Veldhuizen, Maria

tVNS enhances various memory and learning mechanisms, but there is inconclusive evidence on whether probabilistic learning can be enhanced by tVNS. Here, we tested a simplified version of the probabilistic learning task with monetary rewards in a between-participants design with left and right-sided cymba conchae and tragus stimulation (compared to sham stimulation) in a sample of healthy individuals (n = 80, 64 women, on average 26.38 years old). tVNS enhances overall accuracy significantly(p = 4.09 x 10⁻⁰⁴) and reduces response times (p = 1.1006 x 10⁻⁴⁹) in the probabilistic learning phase. Reinforcement learningmodelling of the data revealed that the tVNS group uses a riskier strategy, dedicates more time to stimulus encoding and motorprocesses and exhibits greater reward sensitivity re...