Why is there an error negativity on correct trials? A reappraisal

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• The Error Negativity (Ne) is an electrophysiological marker typically observed following errors.
• A related wave, the Ne-like wave (Nc), appears on correct trials, but its origin remains debated.
• Subthreshold muscle activations preceding correct responses suggest potential execution errors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of response execution accuracy in generating the Ne/Nc.
• To test the hypothesis that the Ne/Nc on correct trials reflects uncertainty in response execution.
• To differentiate between errors in response selection and errors in response execution.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) were used in healthy subjects.
• Analysis focused on the presence and amplitude of Ne/Nc during correct and partially correct responses.
• Laplacian transformation was applied to EEG data to enhance spatial resolution.

Main Results:

• Partially correct responses, indicated by subthreshold EMG activity, evoked a significant Ne.
• Correct responses following these partial errors showed no identifiable Nc.
• This suggests that the Ne/Nc on correct trials is linked to the predictability of response execution.

Conclusions:

• The Ne/Nc on correct trials likely reflects the action monitoring system's response to unpredictable response execution.
• The absence of Nc after correcting partial execution errors supports this interpretation.
• Response execution accuracy, rather than just response selection, is a critical factor in error-related potentials.