Post-error behavioral adjustments are facilitated by activation and suppression of task-relevant and task-irrelevant...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Error monitoring by the posterior medial frontal cortex (pMFC) is associated with cognitive control and post-error behavioral adaptation.
• The precise mechanisms by which post-error behavioral adjustments (PEBAs) are implemented—whether by inhibiting incorrect responses or facilitating goal-directed actions—remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural correlates of PEBAs using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• To determine if PEBAs involve suppressing motor responses, redirecting attention, or both, in a stimulus-response compatibility task.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed during a stimulus-response compatibility task.
• The study examined hemodynamic responses related to error monitoring and post-error adjustments.
• Covariation between post-error brain activity and individual differences in PEBAs was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Error-related pMFC activation was followed by recruitment of prefrontal and parietal control regions.
• Post-error, suppressed sensorimotor activity and enhanced target processing in the fusiform face area were observed.
• Modulation of motor and sensory processing depended on whether participants exhibited post-error slowing (PES) or post-error reduction of interference (PERI), mediated by distinct lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) regions.

Conclusions:

• PEBAs are associated with both suppression of motor responses and enhancement of sensory processing.
• Distinct LPFC mechanisms mediate PES (inferior frontal junction) and PERI (superior frontal sulcus).
• The neural basis of sequential behavioral adaptation is shaped by individual execution of cognitive control after errors.