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Dynamics of error-related activity in deterministic learning - an EEG and fMRI study.

ABSTRACT: There is a close relationship between progress in learning and the error-monitoring system. EEG and fMRI studies using probabilistic learning have revealed the distinct dynamics of this system after response and feedback, i.e. an increase of error-related and a decrease of feedback-related activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Based on the existing theories, it can be presumed that during deterministic learning feedback-related activity in ACC would also increase. Since these assumptions have not yet been confirmed, it can be only speculated based on the data from the probabilistic paradigms how the information is being integrated within the ACC during deterministic learning. Here we implemented the Paired Associate Deterministic Learning task to the EEG and fMRI experiments. The analysis of EEG data showed a significant increase in the amplitude for both ERN and FN. Similarly, the fMRI results showed an increase in response-related and feedback-related activity of the ACC in erroneous trials. Our findings are in line with the current theories of ACC function: increasing ACC activity can be linked to the detected discrepancy between expected and obtained outcomes. We argue that expectancy violations in the course of deterministic learning are signalled by both, internal and external evaluation system.

SUBMITTER: Gawlowska M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6168565 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Dynamics of error-related activity in deterministic learning - an EEG and fMRI study.

Gawlowska Magda M Domagalik Aleksandra A Beldzik Ewa E Marek Tadeusz T Mojsa-Kaja Justyna J

Scientific reports 20181002 1

There is a close relationship between progress in learning and the error-monitoring system. EEG and fMRI studies using probabilistic learning have revealed the distinct dynamics of this system after response and feedback, i.e. an increase of error-related and a decrease of feedback-related activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Based on the existing theories, it can be presumed that during deterministic learning feedback-related activity in ACC would also increase. Since these assumpti ...[more]

PMID: 30279558

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Project description:The error-related negativity (ERN) is a negative deflection in the electroencephalography (EEG) waveform at frontal-central scalp sites that occurs after error commission. The relationship between the ERN and broader patterns of brain activity measured across the entire scalp that support error processing during early childhood is unclear. We examined the relationship between the ERN and EEG microstates - whole-brain patterns of dynamically evolving scalp potential topographies that reflect periods of synchronized neural activity - during both a go/no-go task and resting-state in 90, 4-8-year-old children. The mean amplitude of the ERN was quantified during the -64 to 108 millisecond (ms) period of time relative to error commission, which was determined by data-driven microstate segmentation of error-related activity. We found that greater magnitude of the ERN associated with greater global explained variance (GEV; i.e., the percentage of total variance in the data explained by a given microstate) of an error-related microstate observed during the same -64 to 108 ms period (i.e., error-related microstate 3), and to greater anxiety risk as measured by parent-reported behavioral inhibition. During resting-state, six data-driven microstates were identified. Both greater magnitude of the ERN and greater GEV values of error-related microstate 3 associated with greater GEV values of resting-state microstate 4, which showed a frontal-central scalp topography. Source localization results revealed overlap between the underlying neural generators of error-related microstate 3 and resting-state microstate 4 and canonical brain networks (e.g., ventral attention) known to support the higher-order cognitive processes involved in error processing. Taken together, our results clarify how individual differences in error-related and intrinsic brain activity are related and enhance our understanding of developing brain network function and organization supporting error processing during early childhood.

Dataset Information

Dynamics of error-related activity in deterministic learning - an EEG and fMRI study.

Publications

Dynamics of error-related activity in deterministic learning - an EEG and fMRI study.

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