Neural Mechanisms Underlying Adaptive Actions after Slips

Abstract

Abstract& An increase in cognitive control has been systematically observed in responses produced immediately after the commission of an error. Such responses show a delay in reaction time (post-error slowing) and an increase in accuracy. To characterize the neurophysiological mechanism involved in the adaptation of cognitive control, we examined oscillatory electrical brain activity by electroencephalogram and its corresponding neural network by event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging in three experiments. We identified a new oscillatory theta-beta component related to the degree of post-error slowing

Tracking post-error adaptation in the motor system by transcranial magnetic stimulation

“…In imaging studies, activations ipsilateral to the motor response have been observed during the performance of complex motor tasks (Banich, 1998;Verstynen et al, 2005;Welcome and Chiarello, 2008). Previous studies have shown that the commission of an error engaged several regions involved in performance monitoring which resulted in either decreased activation or increased inhibition of the contralateral motor cortex (Marco-Pallare´s et al, 2008;Danielmeier and Ullsperger, 2011), which presumably might lead to the increase of excitability of the ipsilateral motor cortex shown in our data. Indeed, the reciprocal activation/ inhibition of the two hemispheres is thought to be mediated via transcallosal connections featuring inhibitory GABA B receptors (Irlbacher et al, 2007;Palmer et al, 2012).…”

“…A direct relationship between our findings at 450 ms and the error detection processes indexed by the ERN might be unlikely since the peak of this ERP component appears before 100 ms post-response (e.g., Rodrı´guez-Fornells et al, 2002). A neurophysiological marker more closely associated in time with our TMS finding is the error-related oscillatory brain activity observed by Marco-Pallare´s et al (2008). In this multimodal study, a frontocentral increase of beta power starting at about 400-500 ms after an erroneous response showed a positive correlation with PES on the next correct trial.…”

“…The timing of the delivery of pulses was randomized. These time points were selected taking into account that the maximum increase of an oscillatory response in the beta EEG band related to PES has been observed 500 ms after the response in Marco-Pallare´s et al (2008). At least six trials were imposed between pulses to avoid possible behavioral interference produced by the previous pulse.…”

Outcome expectancy and not accuracy determines posterror slowing: ERP support

“…Consequently, CMT predicts increased reaction times (RTs) and increased accuracy following errors. However, although posterror slowing in combination with increased accuracy has been reported occasionally (Laming, 1968;Marco-Pallares, Camara, Münte, & Rodríguez-Fornells, 2008;Rabbitt, 1966), other studies have found posterror slowing in combination with decreased accuracy (Hajcak, McDonald, & Simons, 2003;Hajcak & Simons, 2008;Laming, 1979;Rabbitt & Rodgers, 1977).…”

Basal Ganglia and the Error Monitoring and Processing System: How Alcohol Modulates the Error Monitoring and Processing Capacity of the Basal Ganglia

“…Research suggests that behavioral adjustment might represent a useful in error awareness. There evidences suggest a close relationship among error commission, behavioral adjustment and executive functions Marco-Pallarés et al, 2008). The awareness of errors might be the result of close engagement between executive functions and the brain EMPS.…”