Mal-adaptation of event-related EEG responses preceding performance errors

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Behavioral errors are often preceded by detectable changes in brain activity.
• Previous research using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) suggests these changes occur seconds before the error.
• A specific fronto-central component in EEG has been linked to error and feedback processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To further characterize error precursor activity by investigating single-trial event-related EEG.
• To examine the trial-by-trial dynamics of a specific fronto-central independent component.
• To understand how performance monitoring dynamics contribute to error generation.

Main Methods:

• Investigated single-trial event-related EEG activity in 70 participants performing a modified Eriksen flanker task.
• Focused on a fronto-central independent component associated with error processing.
• Analyzed stimulus-locked peaks (N2, P3 latency) and pre-stimulus activity.

Main Results:

• N2 and P3 peaks showed expected modulations related to stimulus compatibility and errors.
• A pre-stimulus negative slow wave was observed on erroneous trials.
• Decreased conflict (less N2 negativity) across five trials preceding errors was associated with speeding response times.

Conclusions:

• Error-preceding activity in EEG is linked to the brain's performance monitoring system.
• The dynamics of performance monitoring directly contribute to generating error-prone states.
• These findings complement indirect effects observed in ongoing brain activity (e.g., alpha power, default mode network).