Uwe Mattler, Torsten Wüstenberg and Hans-Jochen Heinze

Common modules for processing invalidly cued events in the human cortex.

Brain Research

A central question regarding the nature of cognitive control is the extent to which different tasks are controlled by a common system. We addressed this issue by comparing the cortical activation associated with the processing of an invalidly cued event with the activation associated with a validly cued event. In a perceptual cueing task, we cued the likely stimulus modality (visual or auditory), and in a motor cueing task, we cued the likely motor response (left or right hand). Event-related functional MRI revealed increased activation in the anterior cingulate cortex on valid and invalid trials in both tasks. In addition, a network of six regions, including the dorsal medial frontal cortex, showed increased activation on invalid trials irrespective of whether the invalid cue referred to the stimulus modality or response. Findings suggest that dorsal medial frontal cortex rather than the anterior cingulated cortex is involved in conflict monitoring operations. We summarize our findings in a model that links six modules for processing invalidly cued events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 2006-11392-009. PMID: 16859648 Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Mattler, Uwe; Neurological Clinic II, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Center for Advanced Imaging, Magdeburg, Germany. Release Date: 20070319. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Cerebral Cortex; Cognitive Processes; Cues; Frontal Lobe. Classification: Neuropsychology & Neurology (2520). Population: Human (10); Female (40). Location: Germany. Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300); Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs) (320). Methodology: Empirical Study; Quantitative Study. References Available: Y. Page Count: 14. Issue Publication Date: Sep, 2006.