Combined EEG and immersive virtual reality unveil dopaminergic modulation of error monitoring in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Detecting errors in your own and others’ actions is associated with discrepancies between intended and expected outcomes. The processing of salient events is associated with dopamine release, the balance of which is altered in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Errors in observed actions trigger various electrocortical indices (e.g. mid-frontal theta, error-related delta, and error positivity [oPe]). However, the impact of dopamine depletion to observed errors in the same individual remains unclear. Healthy controls (HCs) and PD patients observed ecological reach-to-grasp-a-glass actions performed by a virtual arm from a first-person perspective. PD patients were tested under their dopaminergic medication (on-condition) and after dopaminergic withdrawal (off-condition). Analyses of oPe, delta, and theta-power increases indicate that while the formers were elicited after incorrect vs. correct actions in all groups, the latter were observed in on-condition but altered in off-condition PD. Therefore, different EEG error signatures may index the activity of distinct mechanisms, and error-related theta power is selectively modulated by dopamine depletion. Our findings may facilitate discovering dopamine-related biomarkers for error-monitoring dysfunctions that may have crucial theoretical and clinical implications.

Beyond passive observation: feedback anticipation and observation activate the mirror system in virtual finger movement control via P300-BCI

“…In our study, we investigated ErrPs in response to movements presented as feedback in the P300-BCI paradigm. Our findings revealed a cluster of significant differences falling within the time range corresponding to the ERP with characteristics similar to the oPe: a latency range of 500–700 ms and amplitude peaking at the FCz channel ( Pezzetta et al, 2023 ). However, we found no significant differences in the oNe potential.…”

“…They are similar to Ne and Pe in terms of their distribution and location, but have smaller amplitudes and a longer latency. Specifically, oNe is registered between 50 and 350 ms, and oPe latency is closer to 600 ms after the observed motor error ( Pezzetta et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Moreover, beta ERS has also been observed to increase in individuals who observe erroneous actions performed by others, highlighting the role of beta ERS-generating networks as part of the action observation network (AON) ( Koelewijn et al, 2008 ; Pezzetta et al, 2023 ). Notably, Honaga et al (2010) have demonstrated a decrease in beta ERS in individuals with autism spectrum disorder during action observation, which further supports the involvement of beta ERS in the AON.…”

“…Pe amplitude reflects cognitive processes associated with potential error consequences and post-error adjustments of behavior ( Danielmeier and Ullsperger, 2011 ). Pe generators are associated with the prefrontal cortex, ACC, and insular cortex ( Pezzetta et al, 2023 ).…”

Taking the perspective of an embodied avatar modulates the temporal dynamics of vicarious pain and pleasure: a combined Immersive Virtual Reality and EEG study

“…To achieve our aim, we combined immersive virtual reality with time- and time-frequency domain EEG recording in healthy participants observing from a 1PP or 3PP: i) a virtual arm holding a needle that approached and then penetrated the right hand of an avatar (pain condition); ii) a virtual hand approaching the avatar’s right hand and caressing it (pleasure) and; iii) a virtual green ball approaching and touching the avatar’s right hand (neutral). Subjective and neurophysiological data indicate that cues to virtual embodiment like body ownership, may operate at both explicit (Fusco et al, 2020; Monti et al, 2020; Tieri et al, 2015a) and implicit levels (Tieri et al, 2015b, 2017; Fusaro et al, 2016, 2021; Pavone et al, 2016; Casula et al, 2022; Pezzetta et al, 2023). Expanding on previous evidence (Tieri et al, 2015a; Pavone et al 2016; Fusaro et al 2016, 2019), subjective reports indicate that our experimental approach is adept to induce vicarious sensations and embodiment over artificial agents.…”