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Functional definition of the N450 event-related brain potential marker of conflict processing: a numerical stroop study

Functional definition of the N450 event-related brain potential marker of conflict processing: a numerical stroop study
Functional definition of the N450 event-related brain potential marker of conflict processing: a numerical stroop study
Background

Several conflict processing studies aimed to dissociate neuroimaging phenomena related to stimulus and response conflict processing. However, previous studies typically did not include a paradigm-independent measure of either stimulus or response conflict. Here we have combined electro-myography (EMG) with event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in order to determine whether a particularly robust marker of conflict processing, the N450 ERP effect usually related to the activity of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), is related to stimulus- or to response-conflict processing. EMG provided paradigm-independent measure of response conflict. In a numerical Stroop paradigm participants compared pairs of digits and pressed a button on the side where they saw the larger digit. 50% of digit-pairs were preceded by an effective cue which provided accurate information about the required response. 50% of trials were preceded by a neutral cue which did not communicate the side of response.

Results

EMG showed that response conflict was significantly larger in neutrally than in effectively cued trials. The N450 was similar when response conflict was high and when it was low.

Conclusions

We conclude that the N450 is related to stimulus or abstract, rather than to response conflict detection/resolution. Findings may enable timing ACC conflict effects.
conflict processing, interference, subthreshold response activation, stroop effect, anterior cingulate cortex, numerical distance effect, numerical cognition, ERP, EEG
1471-2202
1-14
Szűcs, Dénes
1020f888-a7ba-48b6-861a-42a7f6ff716c
Soltész, Fruzsina
cbc12e4b-9d6f-4c24-8203-47ae2bd8f470
Szűcs, Dénes
1020f888-a7ba-48b6-861a-42a7f6ff716c
Soltész, Fruzsina
cbc12e4b-9d6f-4c24-8203-47ae2bd8f470

Szűcs, Dénes and Soltész, Fruzsina (2012) Functional definition of the N450 event-related brain potential marker of conflict processing: a numerical stroop study. BMC Neuroscience, 13 (35), 1-14. (doi:10.1186/1471-2202-13-35). (PMID:22452924)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background

Several conflict processing studies aimed to dissociate neuroimaging phenomena related to stimulus and response conflict processing. However, previous studies typically did not include a paradigm-independent measure of either stimulus or response conflict. Here we have combined electro-myography (EMG) with event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in order to determine whether a particularly robust marker of conflict processing, the N450 ERP effect usually related to the activity of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), is related to stimulus- or to response-conflict processing. EMG provided paradigm-independent measure of response conflict. In a numerical Stroop paradigm participants compared pairs of digits and pressed a button on the side where they saw the larger digit. 50% of digit-pairs were preceded by an effective cue which provided accurate information about the required response. 50% of trials were preceded by a neutral cue which did not communicate the side of response.

Results

EMG showed that response conflict was significantly larger in neutrally than in effectively cued trials. The N450 was similar when response conflict was high and when it was low.

Conclusions

We conclude that the N450 is related to stimulus or abstract, rather than to response conflict detection/resolution. Findings may enable timing ACC conflict effects.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 27 March 2012
Published date: 27 March 2012
Keywords: conflict processing, interference, subthreshold response activation, stroop effect, anterior cingulate cortex, numerical distance effect, numerical cognition, ERP, EEG
Organisations: Psychology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 375334
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/375334
ISSN: 1471-2202
PURE UUID: eb40add5-409e-4648-9e0d-9ce6a4743d8f

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Date deposited: 20 Mar 2015 15:07
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 19:24

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Contributors

Author: Dénes Szűcs
Author: Fruzsina Soltész

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