Common modules for processing invalidly cued events in the human cortex

Abstract

A central question regarding the nature of cognitive control is the extent to which different tasks are controlled by a common system. We addressed this issue by comparing the cortical activation associated with the processing of an invalidly cued event with the activation associated with a validly cued event. In a perceptual cueing task, we cued the likely stimulus modality (visual or auditory), and in a motor cueing task, we cued the likely motor response (left or right hand). Event-related functional MRI revealed increased activation in the anterior cingulate cortex on valid and invalid trials in both tasks. In addition, a network of six regions, including the dorsal medial frontal cortex, showed increased activation on invalid trials irrespective of whether the invalid cue referred to the stimulus modality or response. Findings suggest that dorsal medial frontal cortex rather than the anterior cingulated cortex is involved in conflict monitoring operations. We summarize our findings in a model that links six modules for processing invalidly cued events.