The selection and suppression of action: ERP correlates of executive control in humans.
A key aspect of higher cortical function is the ability to selectively withhold or suppress action where appropriate. To examine the time course of executive control we used dense-sensor EEG recording techniques to study event-related electrical potentials (ERPs) during a visual 'go/no-go' task. We show that during both go and no-go trials there is a positive deflection in the ERP, which develops over posterior parietal sensors approximately 350 ms (P300) after the onset of a conditional visual stimulus, but is selectively suppressed during no-go trials. We also show that this modulation of the parietal P300 is preceded by a negative deflection in the ERP recorded over frontal cortex (N2), which is apparent only for no-go trials. We suggest that this signal provides an electrophysiological marker in man for the decision to withhold the execution of a motor response.
Jackson
S R
SR
Centre for Perception, Attention, and Motor Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK.
Jackson
G M
GM
Roberts
M
M
D000328:Adult; D004569:Electroencephalography; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000502:physiology*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*