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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Online Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol for Measuring Cortical Physiology Associated with Response Inhibition
Published on: February 8, 2018
Sensory MEG responses predict successful and failed inhibition in a stop-signal task
C N Boehler1, T F Münte, R M Krebs
1Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany. boehler@neuro2.med.uni-magdeburg.de
Abstract:
In the present study magnetoencephalographic recordings were performed to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the stopping of manual responses. Subjects performed in a Stop-signal task in which Go-stimuli (S1), requiring a rapid motor response, were sometimes rapidly followed by a Stop-stimulus (S2) indicating to withhold the already initiated response to S1. Success of stopping strongly depended on the early perceptual processing of S1 and S2 reflected by the magnetic N1 component. Enhanced processing of S1 facilitated the execution of the movement, whereas enhanced processing of S2 favored its inhibition. This suggests that the processing resources for the subsequent stimuli are limited and need to be shared. This sharing of resources appeared to arise from adjustments made on a trial-by-trial basis, in that systematic reaction time prolongations on Go-trials following Stop-trials versus following Go-trials were accompanied by attenuated sensory processing to the Go-stimulus similar to that seen in successful versus unsuccessful stopping in Stop-trials.
Insights
This study used magnetoencephalography to explore how the brain stops manual responses. Successful stopping relies on processing both the Go-stimulus and the Stop-stimulus, indicating limited neural resources are shared between tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human Motor Control
Background:
- Understanding the neural basis of response inhibition is crucial for cognitive neuroscience.
- The Stop-signal task is a widely used paradigm to study the mechanisms of action withholding.
- Previous research suggests involvement of specific brain regions and processes in successful response inhibition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the stopping of manual responses using magnetoencephalography (MEG).
- To examine the role of early perceptual processing in successful response inhibition within a Stop-signal task.
- To explore the concept of limited and shared processing resources between Go-stimuli and Stop-stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings were employed to measure brain activity.
- Subjects performed a Stop-signal task involving Go-stimuli (S1) and Stop-stimuli (S2).
- Analysis focused on the magnetic N1 component as an indicator of early perceptual processing.
Main Results:
- Successful stopping was strongly dependent on the early perceptual processing of both S1 and S2, reflected by the N1 component.
- Enhanced processing of S1 facilitated movement execution, while enhanced processing of S2 favored inhibition.
- Evidence suggests limited and shared processing resources, with trial-by-trial adjustments observed in sensory processing and reaction times.
Conclusions:
- The neural mechanisms for stopping manual responses involve the interplay of processing Go- and Stop-stimuli.
- Limited and dynamically shared processing resources influence both response execution and inhibition.
- Attenuated sensory processing in Go-trials following Stop-trials supports the resource-sharing hypothesis.
