Differential modulation of the N2 and P3 event-related potentials by response conflict and inhibition

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Groom, Madeleine J. and Cragg, Lucy (2015) Differential modulation of the N2 and P3 event-related potentials by response conflict and inhibition. Brain and Cognition, 97 . pp. 1-9. ISSN 1090-2147

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Abstract

Background: Developing reliable and specific neural markers of cognitive processes is essential to improve understanding of healthy and atypical brain function. Despite extensive research there remains uncertainty as to whether two electrophysiological markers of cognitive control, the N2 and P3, are better conceptualised as markers of response inhibition or response conflict. The present study aimed to directly compare the effects of response inhibition and response conflict on the N2 and P3 event-related potentials, within-subjects.

Method: A novel hybrid go/no-go flanker task was performed by 19 healthy adults aged 18 to 25 years while EEG data were collected. The response congruence of a central target stimulus and 4 flanking stimuli was manipulated between trials to vary the degree of response conflict. Response inhibition was required on a proportion of trials. N2 amplitude was measured at two frontal electrode sites; P3 amplitude was measured at 4 midline electrode sites.

Results: N2 amplitude was greater on incongruent than congruent trials but was not enhanced by response inhibition when the stimulus array was congruent. P3 amplitude was greater on trials requiring response inhibition; this effect was more pronounced at frontal electrodes. P3 amplitude was also enhanced on incongruent compared with congruent trials.

Discussion: The findings support a role for N2 amplitude as a marker of response conflict and for the frontal shift of the P3 as a marker of response inhibition. This paradigm could be applied to clinical groups to help clarify the precise nature of impaired action control in disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/755871
Keywords: Event-related potentials; N2; P3; response inhibition; response conflict; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Science > School of Psychology
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2015.04.004
Depositing User: Groom, Maddie
Date Deposited: 15 Apr 2016 12:23
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 17:12
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/32784

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