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Plastic modifications within inhibitory control networks induced by practicing a stop-signal task: an electrical
Aurelie L Manuel1, Fosco Bernasconi, Lucas Spierer
1Neuropsychology and Neurorehabilitation Service, Vaudois University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Practicing the stop-signal task (SST) for one hour improved inhibitory control and altered brain activity. This suggests that executive brain networks involved in response inhibition can be rapidly modified through practice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Inhibitory control, crucial for suppressing actions, relies on fronto-basal brain networks.
- Deficits in inhibitory control are linked to psychiatric conditions like ADHD and addiction.
- Behavioral interventions targeting inhibitory control may aid in rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of practicing inhibition tasks on behavioral performance and neurophysiology.
- To determine if short-term practice can induce changes in the brain networks underlying inhibitory control.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed a stop-signal task (SST) for one hour.
- Behavioral performance was assessed before and after practice.
- Electrical neuroimaging analyzed event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine brain activity changes.
Main Results:
- Behavioral performance on the SST significantly improved after practice.
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) showed topographical differences post-practice, indicating altered brain network engagement.
- Source estimation localized these changes to the inferior frontal gyrus, pre-supplementary motor area, and basal ganglia.
Conclusions:
- Inhibitory control performance and associated brain responses exhibit rapid plasticity.
- Practicing a stop-signal task can modify high-order fronto-basal executive networks.
- These findings support the potential of training-based interventions for enhancing inhibitory control.
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