Attention bias modification reduces neural correlates of response monitoring

Abstract

The error-related negativity (ERN) is an electrophysiological response to errors. Individual differences in the ERN have been posited to reflect sensitivity to threat and linked with risk for anxiety disorders. Attention bias modification is a promising computerized intervention that has been shown to decrease threat biases and anxiety symptoms. In the present study, we examined the impact of a single session of attention bias modification, relative to a control task, on the neural correlates of response monitoring, including the ERN, correct response negativity (CRN), and their difference (i.e., the ERN – CRN or ΔERN). The final sample included 60 participants who first completed a flanker task to elicit the ERN and CRN, and were then randomly assigned to attention bias modification (n = 30) or a control task (n = 30). After completing the attention bias modification or control task, participants completed the same flanker task to again elicit the ERN and CRN. Among participants who completed attention bias modification training, the ERN, CRN, and ΔERN decreased from the pre- to post-training assessment. In contrast, in participants who completed the control task, the CRN, ERN, and ΔERN did not differ between the pre- and post-training assessment. The presents study suggests that a single session of attention bias modification reduces neural correlates of response monitoring, including error-related brain activity. These results also support attention bias modification as a potential mechanistic-based intervention for the prevention and treatment of anxiety pathology.

The Utility of Event-Related Potentials in Clinical Psychology

“…A number of other brief interventions in the lab have similarly been shown to reduce the ERN. For example, we have now shown in two studies that a single session of attention bias modification (ABM) appears to reduce the ERN (Nelson et al 2015), even relative to a control condition (Nelson et al 2017). ABM is a computer-based cognitive training approach that has been shown to reduce attentional biases toward threat and reduce symptoms of anxiety (Hakamata et al 2010), and our data suggest that ABM might work to decrease the ERN.…”

The erring brain: Error‐related negativity as an endophenotype for OCD—A review and meta‐analysis

“…Several studies support that the ERN can be changed with targeted interventions. For example, attentional bias modification that trains participants to attend away from negative and threatening information has been shown to reduce ERN amplitude (Nelson, Jackson, Amir, & Hajcak, ). Similarly, expressive writing, an intervention that reduces distress and increases positive functioning (Frattaroli, ) has been shown to reduce ERN amplitude (Schroder, Moran, & Moser, ).…”

Fear-Free Cross-Cultural Communication: Toward a More Balanced Approach With Insight From Neuroscience

“…While the methods to achieve these goals must await future research, initial finding in brain training is promising. Just a single session of attention bias modification, for example, reduces negativity bias (Nelson et al, 2017) modulating a neural marker that reflects a person's sensitivity to threat. This brain training aims to alter the intuitive tendency to look for negative events by a tendency to look for positive events (e.g., a smile among angry faces).…”