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The Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Control in the Category Induction Task
Xueli Cai1, Guo Li1, Qinxia Liu1
1Psychological Research and Counseling Center, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
Cognitive control involves the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). This study found specific ACC and PFC regions activate during category induction tasks, with ventral ACC deactivating under increased cognitive effort.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Brain Function
Background:
- Cognitive control relies on anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) for conflict monitoring and inhibitory control.
- The role of default mode network (DMN) regions in cognitive control during category induction remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of ACC, PFC, and DMN subregions in cognitive control during a category induction task.
- To clarify the functional distinctions within the ACC during cognitive effort.
Main Methods:
- A modified category induction task was employed.
- Simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to monitor brain activity.
Main Results:
- Left middle frontal gyrus (BA9) and bilateral dorsal ACC/medial frontal gyrus (BA8/32) responded to the presence of conflict information, not its intensity.
- Bilateral ventral ACC (BA32), part of the DMN, showed deactivation that increased with cognitive effort and working memory load.
Conclusions:
- Dorsolateral PFC and dorsal ACC are crucial for cognitive control in categorization.
- Distinct roles for dorsal and ventral ACC were supported in the category induction task, highlighting functional specialization.
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