Post-error adjustments in sensory processing

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Post-error adjustments in sensory processing Markus Ullsperger1*, J.A King2 and D.Y Von Cramon1, 2 1 Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, Germany 2 Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Germany Goal-directed behavior requires continuous action monitoring and flexible adjustment of performance in accordance with environmental demands. When these processes fail, we commit errors that can only be remediated post-hoc. Similar errors can be avoided on subsequent trials by post-error adjustments optimizing task performance. A typical finding is post-error slowing (PES), believed to reflect more cautious behavior. On tasks manipulating stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility, a reduction in interference has been found (post-error reduction of interference; PERI). The posterior medial frontal cortex (pMFC) is well known to be centrally involved in detecting behavioral errors. Current theories of performance monitoring predict that when the pMFC detects action slips, it signals the need to implement modulatory control over cortical regions specialized in goal-relevant information processing; thereby contributing to optimization of future action outcomes. In my presentation I will review evidence linking pMFC error monitoring, PES and post-monitoring lateral prefrontal cortex activity. However, so far support for the hypothesis that post-error adjustments are associated with regulation of activity in neural networks specifically perceiving and processing goal-relevant information has remained elusive. To fill this gap, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate error and post-error hemodynamic responses in the healthy human brain while participants performed a speeded interference task comprised of face image stimuli. Face stimuli were employed to elicit responses in the fusiform face area (FFA), a region of the extrastriate cortex highly responsive to faces. In order to perform effectively, subjects had to ignore distracting spatial S-R contingencies while focusing attention on faces. On error trials, we expected to confirm the role of the pMFC in detecting errors. On post-error trials, we expected to find further support for the proposed link between pMFC error-monitoring and the implementation of post-monitoring cognitive control. Most importantly, we predicted that the FFA would show increased activity on post-error trials in comparison to those in successful performance sequences. In accordance with our hypotheses, error-related pFMC activity was followed by increased activation of the LPFC and the FFA on post-error trials. FFA activity was not only increased on post-error trials, but the interference effect evident in successful performance sequences was eliminated. PERI correlated positively with the post-error FFA response. Moreover, error-related activity in different subregions of the pMFC predicted the size of subsequent PERI and PES. The current investigation delivers novel evidence supporting the prediction that performance is optimized following an error via pMFC engagement of top-down modulatory control over goal-relevant sensory processing. Conference: 10th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience, Bodrum, Turkey, 1 Sep - 5 Sep, 2008. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Symposium 6: Adaptive and maladaptive changes in brain activity prior and subsequent to erroneous behavior Citation: Ullsperger M, King J and Von Cramon D (2008). Post-error adjustments in sensory processing. Conference Abstract: 10th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.09.2009.01.032 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Nov 2008; Published Online: 27 Nov 2008. * Correspondence: Markus Ullsperger, Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany, m.ullsperger@donders.ru.nl Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Markus Ullsperger J.A King D.Y Von Cramon Google Markus Ullsperger J.A King D.Y Von Cramon Google Scholar Markus Ullsperger J.A King D.Y Von Cramon PubMed Markus Ullsperger J.A King D.Y Von Cramon Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.