Effects of target probability on motor preparation and execution

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Motor Control

Background:

• Motor preparation and execution are crucial for goal-directed actions.
• Target probability can influence cognitive and motor processes.
• Understanding the neural underpinnings of motor control and performance monitoring is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of motor target probability on neural correlates of motor preparation (negative slow potentials - NSPs), motor execution (response-related potentials - RRPs), and performance monitoring (correct response negativity - Nc).
• To examine the association between motor preparation, execution, and performance monitoring under varying target probabilities.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record brain activity in young adults.
• Participants performed an auditory Go/NoGo task with simultaneous bilateral hand responses.
• Different target probabilities (15%, 50%, 85%) were manipulated, and NSPs, RRPs, and Nc were analyzed.

Main Results:

• NSPs showed lateralized effects, with pronounced activity at the left motor cortex for low and high probabilities, and less pronounced activity at the right motor cortex for higher probabilities.
• Bi-lateral RRPs were larger for low-probability targets and correlated positively with left-hemisphere NSPs but negatively with right-hemisphere NSPs.
• Correct response negativity (Nc) did not show significant dependency on target probability.

Conclusions:

• Hemispheric specialization modulates the interaction between motor preparation and execution, with the left hemisphere potentiating movement and the right hemisphere involved in proactive inhibition.
• Motor target probability influences motor preparation and execution differently across hemispheres.
• The Nc component may not be a sensitive measure for performance monitoring effects related to target probability in Go/NoGo tasks.