Music training is related to late ERP modulation and enhanced performance during Simon task but not Stroop task

Miguel A Velasquez ¹, Jenna L Winston ², Sandeepa Sur ³

⁰Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience +

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May 7, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Music training enhances cognitive conflict resolution, particularly in later motor output stages. This study found that musically experienced individuals performed better on the Simon task, showing distinct brain activity patterns.

Area Of Science

Cognitive Neuroscience
Auditory Neuroscience
Neuroplasticity

Background

Music training is increasingly linked to improved executive functions, including inhibitory control, working memory, and selective attention.
The Stroop and Simon tasks are commonly used to assess cognitive conflict resolution, but studies show varied results regarding music training's impact on each.
Existing research suggests the Stroop task may involve early sensory conflict resolution, while the Simon task engages later motor output planning.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate whether musical experience selectively enhances cognitive conflict resolution at later motor output stages, rather than earlier sensory stages.
To compare the effects of music training on performance and neural activity in the Stroop and Simon tasks.
To test the hypothesis that musical experience correlates with better performance in the Simon task, but not the Stroop task, with specific neural correlates.

Main Methods

Participants were divided into high- and low-music training groups based on the Goldsmith Musical Sophistication Index.
Behavioral responses and event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during the visual Stroop and Simon tasks.
Analysis focused on differences in behavioral performance and ERP components (N100, N450) between the groups.

Main Results

The high-music training group significantly outperformed the low-music training group on the Simon task, but not the Stroop task.
ERP analysis revealed differences in N450 components, particularly in motor and parietal regions, suggesting music training's role in action selection.
While N100 differences indicated potential sensory discrimination enhancements, these did not correlate with behavioral performance improvements.

Conclusions

Musical experience selectively enhances cognitive conflict resolution during late motor output planning stages, supporting the hypothesis.
The findings suggest that music training's benefits on executive functions may be specific to certain stages of cognitive processing.
Event-related potential differences, especially in the N450 component, provide neural evidence for music training's impact on response selection in conflict situations.

Keywords:

EEG ERP N100 N450 Simon task Stroop task inhibitory control music training