The balance N1 and the ERN correlate in amplitude across individuals in small samples of younger and older adults

Abstract

The error-related negativity (ERN) is a neural correlate of error monitoring often used to investigate individual differences in developmental, pathological, and adaptive contexts. However, limited experimental control over errors presents several confounds to its measurement. An experimentally controlled disturbance to standing balance evokes the balance N1, which we previously suggested may share underlying mechanisms with the ERN. We test the possibility of shared underlying mechanisms by testing whether the balance N1 and ERN are associated in amplitude across individuals within two populations across the adult lifespan (N=21 young adults and N=20 older adults). ERNs were measured in two versions of an arrow flanker task where responses were entered by the hand (ERN-hand) or feet (ERN-foot). The balance N1 was evoked by sudden slip-like movements of the floor beneath a standing participant. The ERNs and the balance N1 showed good to excellent internal consistency and were correlated in amplitude in both populations. One principal component accounted for approximately 80% of variance as being shared across the three evoked responses within each group, but the association between the ERN-hand and ERN-foot remained significant when the balance N1 was included in the model. The results suggest the balance N1 and ERN share mechanisms underlying individual differences in error monitoring. Balance perturbations may therefore provide a well-controlled method for examining individual differences in the neural system that monitors errors.