Tracing the Neural Signature of Lapsing Attentionin the Pre-Error Period Using Simultaneous EEG and fMRI

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Tracing the Neural Signature of Lapsing Attentionin the Pre-Error Period Using Simultaneous EEG and fMRI J H Balsters1, P M Dockree1, S P Kelly2, R G O'Connell1* and I H Robertson1 1 Trinity College Dublin, School of Psychology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Ireland 2 Columbia University, Center for Neurobiology and Behaviour, United States The extent to which human error can be predicted by monitoring changes in brain activity is uncertain yet has important theoretical and practical implications. We have previously demonstrated that lapses of attention are foreshadowed in the EEG up to 20 seconds before a performance error. The present study sought to build on this work by acquiring simultaneous EEG and fMRI data while fifteen participants performed a specially designed test of sustained attention. The task involves monitoring a stream of regularly alternating patterned stimuli in order to detect a rarely occurring target stimulus distinguished by its longer duration and was designed to elicit frequent errors by placing continuous demands on attentional resources. Both EEG and fMRI analyses focused on activity elicited six seconds prior to correct versus incorrect target detections. EEG results indicated that errors were consistently preceded by an endogenous increase in alpha-band activity (8-14Hz) and decreases in two key event-related components linked to target anticipation and motor preparation. Functional imaging data revealed that these electrophysiological markers were linked to maladaptive changes in a predominantly right lateralised network comprising orbitofrontal, temporal and inferior parietal cortex. Our results provide unique temporal and structural information regarding the neural precursors of lapsing attention. Conference: The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes, Toronto, Canada, 22 Mar - 26 Mar, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Cognitive Neuroscience Citation: Balsters J, Dockree P, Kelly S, O'Connell R and Robertson I (2010). Tracing the Neural Signature of Lapsing Attentionin the Pre-Error Period Using Simultaneous EEG and fMRI. Conference Abstract: The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.14.00114 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: 30 Jun 2010; Published Online: 30 Jun 2010. * Correspondence: R G O'Connell, Trinity College Dublin, School of Psychology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland, reoconne@tcd.ie 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 J H Balsters P M Dockree S P Kelly R G O'Connell I H Robertson Google J H Balsters P M Dockree S P Kelly R G O'Connell I H Robertson Google Scholar J H Balsters P M Dockree S P Kelly R G O'Connell I H Robertson PubMed J H Balsters P M Dockree S P Kelly R G O'Connell I H Robertson 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.