Expectation of reward differentially modulates executive inhibition

Paula M Herrera,Tristan A Bekinschtein,Michaël Canu,Mario Speranza,Mauricio Bonilla,Claudia López Cabra,Alberto Vélez Van Meerbeke

doi:10.1186/s40359-019-0332-x

Abstract

BackgroundInhibitory control, a key modulatory component of cognition guiding strategy and behaviour, can be affected by diverse contingencies. We explore here the effect of expectation of reward over behavioural adjustment in a Stop Signal Task modulated by reward. We hypothesize that cognitive control is modulated by different expectation of the reward.MethodsParticipants were allocated to two groups differing in their degree of knowledge in what to expect from rewards. Expected Specific Reward participants (N = 21) were informed of the different monetary feedbacks they would receive after each successful inhibition. Unexpected Reward participants (N = 24) were only told that they would receive monetary reward after correct inhibitory trials, but not the amounts or differences.ResultsOur results confirmed previous observations demonstrating a “kick-start effect” where a high reward feedback at the beginning of the task increases response inhibition. The Expected Specific Reward condition seems also to improve inhibitory control -as measured by the stop signal reaction time (SSRT)-, compared to the Unexpected Reward group.ConclusionsKnowledge of reward magnitudes seems to play a role in cognitive control irrespective of feedback magnitude. The manipulation of reward expectation appears to trigger different strategies for cognitive control, inducing a bottom-up effect of external cues, or a top-down effect given by the anticipation of incoming rewards. This is an early exploration to unearth possible higher order modulators - expectation and motivation- of cognitive control. This approach aims to gain insight into diverse psychopathological conditions related to impulsivity and altered reward systems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), personality disorders, substance abuse, pathological gambling and cognitive aspects of Parkinson Disease.

Highlights

Inhibitory control, a key modulatory component of cognition guiding strategy and behaviour, can be affected by diverse contingencies
Three main components of inhibition can be tested with the Stop Signal Task modified by reward levels: the motor/proactive inhibition, the cognitive inhibition and the influence of motivation
The cognitive aspect is given by an overt instruction to restrain the action under a very specific circumstance, leading to several requirements, first the understanding of the rule given by verbal instruction, and the requisite of retention of information in working and short-term memory

Summary

Introduction

Inhibitory control, a key modulatory component of cognition guiding strategy and behaviour, can be affected by diverse contingencies. Inhibitory control is a fundamental tool to guide behaviour towards goals accomplishment but to dynamically modify or cancel planned actions [3]. The widely studied stop-signal task (SST) [5] has been instrumental in mapping characteristics of cognitive control in health and disease. In this task, when one of two signals appears on screen the appropriate response must be given, in a small proportion of trials a stop signal may appear (see Fig. 1); the aim is to avoid pressing the button, the name. The task is considered a reactive control process [1], but unlike the classical GoNoGo task [6] that depends on a direct reaction of immediate stimuli, the SST seems to recruit further central processes that require the withholding of the (2019) 7:55

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