title: ERP correlates of error processing during performance on the Halstead Category Test.
abstract: The Halstead Category Test (HCT) is a neuropsychological test that measures a person's ability to formulate and apply abstract principles. Performance must be adjusted based on feedback after each trial and errors are common until the underlying rules are discovered. Event-related potential (ERP) studies associated with the HCT are lacking. This paper demonstrates the use of a methodology inspired on Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) applied to EEG signals, to remove high amplitude ocular and movement artifacts during performance on the test. This filtering technique introduces no phase or latency distortions, with minimum loss of relevant EEG information. Importantly, the test was applied in its original clinical format, without introducing adaptations to ERP recordings. After signal treatment, the feedback-related negativity (FRN) wave, which is related to error-processing, was identified. This component peaked around 250ms, after feedback, in fronto-central electrodes. As expected, errors elicited more negative amplitudes than correct responses. Results are discussed in terms of the increased clinical potential that coupling ERP information with behavioral performance data can bring to the specificity of the HCT in diagnosing different types of impairment in frontal brain function.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address: isabel.m.b.santos@gmail.com.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: IEETA, University of Aveiro, Portugal; ESEC, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: IEETA, University of Aveiro, Portugal; DETI, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tomé
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: University of Beira Interior, Portugal; CICS, Research Center in Health Sciences, Portugal.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: CINEICC, Cognitive and Behavioural Center for Research and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vagos
authors.affiliation: University of Beira Interior, Portugal.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Carrito
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Atlanta, USA.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: DeFilippis
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Halstead Category Test; Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA); event-related potentials (ERP); feedback processing; feedback-related negativity (FRN)