Cortical beta power reflects decision dynamics and uncovers multiple facets of post-error adaptation

Fischer, Adrian G.; Nigbur, Roland; Klein, Tilmann A.; Danielmeier, Claudia; Ullsperger, Markus

Abstract

© 2018, The Author(s). Adapting to errors quickly is essential for survival. Reactionslowing after errors is commonly observed but whether this slowing is adaptive or maladaptive is unclear. Here, we analyse a large dataset from a flanker task using two complementary approaches: a multistage drift-diffusion model, and the lateralisation of EEG beta power as a time-resolved index of choice formation. Fitted model parameters and their independently measured neuronal proxies in beta power convergently show a complex interplay of multiple mechanisms initiated after mistakes. Suppression of distracting evidence, response threshold increase, and reduction of evidence accumulation cause slow and accurate post-error responses. This data provides evidence for both adaptive control and maladaptive orienting after errors yielding an adaptive net effect – a decreased likelihood to repeat mistakes. Generally, lateralised beta power provides a non-invasive readout of action selection for the study of speeded cognitive control processes.

Citation

Fischer, A. G., Nigbur, R., Klein, T. A., Danielmeier, C., & Ullsperger, M. (2018). Cortical beta power reflects decision dynamics and uncovers multiple facets of post-error adaptation. Nature Communications, 9, Article 5038. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-07456-8

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 29, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Nov 28, 2018
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 28, 2018
• Journal: Nature Communications
• Electronic ISSN: 2041-1723
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Article Number: 5038
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-07456-8
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1317737
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07456-8