Event-Related Brain Potentials Following Incorrect Feedback in a Time-Estimation Task: Evidence for a “Generic” Neural System for Error Detection

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 788-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang H. R. Miltner ◽  
Christoph H. Braun ◽  
Michael G. H. Coles

We examined scalp-recorded event-related potentials following feedback stimuli in a time-estimation task. Six hundred msec after indicating the end of a 1 sec interval, subjects received a visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimulus that indicated whether the interval they had produced was correct. Following feedback indicating incorrect performance, a negative deflection occurred, whose characteristics corresponded closely to those of the component (the error-related negativity) that accompanies errors in choice reaction time tasks. Furthermore, equivalent dipole analysis suggested that, for all three modalities, the distribution of the scalp potential was consistent with a local source in the anterior cingulate cortex or a more distributed source in the supplementary motor areas. These loci correspond closely to those described previously for the error-related negativity. We conclude that the error-related negativity is the manifestation of the activity of a “generic” neural system involved in error detection.

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Brázdil ◽  
Robert Roman ◽  
Pavel Daniel ◽  
Ivan Rektor

Abstract: Performance monitoring represents a critical executive function of the human brain. In an effort to identify its anatomical and physiological aspects, a negative component of event-related potentials (ERPs), which occurs only on incorrect trials, has been used in the extensive investigation of error processing. This component has been termed “error-negativity” (Ne) or error-related negativity (ERN) and has been interpreted as a correlate of error detection. The aim of the present intracerebral ERP study was to contribute knowledge of the sources of the Ne/ERN, with a particular focus on the involvement of a frontomedian wall (FMW) in the genesis of this negativity. Seven patients with intractable epilepsy participated in the study. Depth electrodes were implanted to localize the seizure origin prior to surgical treatment. A total of 574 sites in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes were investigated. A simple Go/NoGo task was performed and EEG epochs with correct and erroneous motor responses were averaged independently using the response as the trigger. Ne/ERN was generated in multiple cortical structures, with the most consistent involvement being that of the FMW structures. Ne/ERN generators were revealed there in both the rostral and caudal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), but also in the pre-SMA and in the parts of the medial frontal gyrus adjacent to the ACC. Different timing of activations between the rostral and caudal anterior cingulate Ne/ERN sources was observed in this study. Other neural sources of the Ne/ERN were found in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, in the orbitofrontal cortex, in the lateral temporal neocortex, and in one isolated case in the supramarginal gyrus. Our findings support the key role of the FMW in the genesis of Ne/ERN. At the same time, our findings suggest a different functional significance for the rostral and caudal ACC involvement in error processing. In addition to the FMW, the other prefrontal cortical sites, the lateral temporal neocortex, and the supramarginal gyrus seem to represent integral components of the brain's error monitoring system.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Egeto

Event-related potentials of performance monitoring, including N2 (conflict monitoring), error-related negativity and error positivity (ERN and Pe; error monitoring), and P3 (inhibition) have been studied. However, conflict monitoring lacks a behavioural measure, and the functional significance of ERN, Pe, and P3 are debated. To address these issues, a behavioural measure of conflict monitoring was tested by subtracting the reaction time (RT) of a simple from a choice RT task to isolate conflict monitoring; the functions of error monitoring and inhibition were examined. The RT difference correlated with the N2 area (longer conflict monitoring related to a larger N2). ERN and Pe areas were negatively and positively correlated with errors, respectively. P3 magnitude and onset were correlated with an inhibition index. The new behavioural measure provides an accessible way to study conflict monitoring. Theories of conflict monitoring for ERN, error awareness for Pe, and inhibition for P3 were replicated and extended.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2285-2297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artem V. Belopolsky ◽  
Arthur F. Kramer ◽  
Jan Theeuwes

Previous research has shown that task-irrelevant onsets trigger an eye movement in their direction. Such oculomotor capture is often impervious to conscious awareness. The present study used event-related brain potentials to examine how such oculomotor errors are detected, evaluated, and compensated for and whether awareness of an error played a role at any of these stages of processing. The results show that the early processes of error detection and correction (as represented by the error-related negativity and the parietal N1) are not directly affected by subjective awareness of making an error. Instead, they seem to be modulated by the degree of temporal overlap between the programming of the correct and erroneous saccade. We found that only a later component (the error-related positivity [Pe]) is modulated by awareness of making an erroneous eye movement. We propose that awareness of oculomotor capture primarily depends on this later process.


NeuroImage ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 2321-2328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabry W. Mies ◽  
Maurits W. van der Molen ◽  
Marion Smits ◽  
Michiel W. Hengeveld ◽  
Frederik M. van der Veen

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Egeto

Event-related potentials of performance monitoring, including N2 (conflict monitoring), error-related negativity and error positivity (ERN and Pe; error monitoring), and P3 (inhibition) have been studied. However, conflict monitoring lacks a behavioural measure, and the functional significance of ERN, Pe, and P3 are debated. To address these issues, a behavioural measure of conflict monitoring was tested by subtracting the reaction time (RT) of a simple from a choice RT task to isolate conflict monitoring; the functions of error monitoring and inhibition were examined. The RT difference correlated with the N2 area (longer conflict monitoring related to a larger N2). ERN and Pe areas were negatively and positively correlated with errors, respectively. P3 magnitude and onset were correlated with an inhibition index. The new behavioural measure provides an accessible way to study conflict monitoring. Theories of conflict monitoring for ERN, error awareness for Pe, and inhibition for P3 were replicated and extended.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Christine Ehlis ◽  
Martin J. Herrmann ◽  
Achim Bernhard ◽  
Andreas J. Fallgatter

Abstract: In the present study, a modified version of the Eriksen Flanker Task has been used to study event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by correct responses, response errors, and invalid negative response feedback following correct button presses (“PC-error trials”). Conventional error potentials (error related negativity [ERN/Ne]; error-positivity [Pe]) were observed after incorrect button presses but not following negative response feedback in PC-error trials. Furthermore, a late positive deflection occurred specifically after PC-errors (Late positivity [PL]), which might reflect a conscious processing of these unexpected events. The results imply some restrictions for the notion that the ERN/Ne reflects the activity of a general and “generic” neural error-detection system in the human brain. Furthermore, the existence of an “event-detection system” is indicated, which might be involved in the processing of events that violate learned expectations.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franc C.L. Donkers ◽  
Geert J.M. van Boxtel

Abstract: In a previous study we addressed the question whether a feedback-related negativity (FRN) can be elicited by outcomes that are not contingent on any preceding choice or action ( Donkers, Nieuwenhuis, & Van Boxtel, 2005 ). Participants took part in a simple slot-machine task in which they experienced monetary gains and losses in the absence of responses. In addition, they performed a time estimation task often used to study the FRN, and a flanker task known to elicit the error-related negativity (Ne/ERN). Outcomes in the slot-machine task elicited a mediofrontal negativity whose amplitude correlated with the amplitude of the FRN associated with negative feedback in the time estimation task. However, the mediofrontal negativity was observed both for (unfavorable) outcomes that averted a gain and for (favorable) outcomes that averted a loss of money, a finding that is inconsistent with previous FRN research. In the present study we examined the similarity between the mediofrontal negativity observed in the slot-machine task and the frequency-sensitive N2. We manipulated the overall frequency of obtaining gains and losses in the slot-machine task and compared the negativities on averted gains and losses across the different trial probabilities. The results showed that larger feedback-related negativities were elicited by unexpected unfavorable outcomes than by expected unfavorable outcomes.


Author(s):  
Monika Equit ◽  
Justine Niemczyk ◽  
Anna Kluth ◽  
Carla Thomas ◽  
Mathias Rubly ◽  
...  

Abstract. Objective: Fecal incontinence and constipation are common disorders in childhood. The enteric nervous system and the central nervous system are highly interactive along the brain-gut axis. The interaction is mainly afferent. These afferent pathways include centers that are involved in the central nervous processing of emotions as the mid/posterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortex. A previous study revealed altered processing of emotions in children with fecal incontinence. The present study replicates these results. Methods: In order to analyze the processing of emotions, we compared the event-related potentials of 25 children with fecal incontinence and constipation to those of 15 control children during the presentation of positive, negative, and neutral pictures. Results: Children with fecal incontinence and constipation showed altered processing of emotions, especially in the parietal and central cortical regions. Conclusions: The main study results of the previous study were replicated, increasing the certainty and validity of the findings.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albertus A. Wijers ◽  
Maarten A.S. Boksem

Abstract. We recorded event-related potentials in an illusory conjunction task, in which subjects were cued on each trial to search for a particular colored letter in a subsequently presented test array, consisting of three different letters in three different colors. In a proportion of trials the target letter was present and in other trials none of the relevant features were present. In still other trials one of the features (color or letter identity) were present or both features were present but not combined in the same display element. When relevant features were present this resulted in an early posterior selection negativity (SN) and a frontal selection positivity (FSP). When a target was presented, this resulted in a FSP that was enhanced after 250 ms as compared to when both relevant features were present but not combined in the same display element. This suggests that this effect reflects an extra process of attending to both features bound to the same object. There were no differences between the ERPs in feature error and conjunction error trials, contrary to the idea that these two types of errors are due to different (perceptual and attentional) mechanisms. The P300 in conjunction error trials was much reduced relative to the P300 in correct target detection trials. A similar, error-related negativity-like component was visible in the response-locked averages in correct target detection trials, in feature error trials, and in conjunction error trials. Dipole modeling of this component resulted in a source in a deep medial-frontal location. These results suggested that this type of task induces a high level of response conflict, in which decision-related processes may play a major role.


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