Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulation
Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying metacontrol and conflict regulation is crucial for insights into cognitive flexibility and persistence. This study employed electroencephalography (EEG), EEG-beamforming and directed connectivity analyses to explore how varying metacontrol states influe...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-11-01
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| Series: | NeuroImage |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811924004129 |
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| author | Xi Wang Nasibeh Talebi Xianzhen Zhou Bernhard Hommel Christian Beste |
| author_facet | Xi Wang Nasibeh Talebi Xianzhen Zhou Bernhard Hommel Christian Beste |
| author_sort | Xi Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying metacontrol and conflict regulation is crucial for insights into cognitive flexibility and persistence. This study employed electroencephalography (EEG), EEG-beamforming and directed connectivity analyses to explore how varying metacontrol states influence conflict regulation at a neurophysiological level. Metacontrol states were manipulated by altering the frequency of congruent and incongruent trials across experimental blocks in a modified flanker task, and both behavioral and electrophysiological measures were analyzed. Behavioral data confirmed the experimental manipulation's efficacy, showing an increase in persistence bias and a reduction in flexibility bias during increased conflict regulation. Electrophysiologically, theta band activity paralleled the behavioral data, suggesting that theta oscillations reflect the mismatch between expected metacontrol bias and actual task demands. Alpha and beta band dynamics differed across experimental blocks, though these changes did not directly mirror behavioral effects. Post-response alpha and beta activity were more pronounced in persistence-biased states, indicating a neural reset mechanism preparing for future cognitive demands. By using a novel artificial neural networks method, directed connectivity analyses revealed enhanced inter-regional communication during persistence states, suggesting stronger top-down control and sensorimotor integration. Overall, theta band activity was closely tied to metacontrol processes, while alpha and beta bands played a role in resetting the neural system for upcoming tasks. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the neural substrates involved in metacontrol and conflict monitoring, emphasizing the distinct roles of different frequency bands in these cognitive processes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dadf0113c3354a21b73d8f58a69a6bc3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1095-9572 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NeuroImage |
| spelling | doaj-art-dadf0113c3354a21b73d8f58a69a6bc32024-11-15T06:11:04ZengElsevierNeuroImage1095-95722024-11-01302120915Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulationXi Wang0Nasibeh Talebi1Xianzhen Zhou2Bernhard Hommel3Christian Beste4Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, GermanyCognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, GermanyCognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, GermanySchool of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China; Corresponding author at: School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, China.Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany; School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China; German Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ), partner site Leipzig/Dresden, Dresden, GermanyUnderstanding the neural mechanisms underlying metacontrol and conflict regulation is crucial for insights into cognitive flexibility and persistence. This study employed electroencephalography (EEG), EEG-beamforming and directed connectivity analyses to explore how varying metacontrol states influence conflict regulation at a neurophysiological level. Metacontrol states were manipulated by altering the frequency of congruent and incongruent trials across experimental blocks in a modified flanker task, and both behavioral and electrophysiological measures were analyzed. Behavioral data confirmed the experimental manipulation's efficacy, showing an increase in persistence bias and a reduction in flexibility bias during increased conflict regulation. Electrophysiologically, theta band activity paralleled the behavioral data, suggesting that theta oscillations reflect the mismatch between expected metacontrol bias and actual task demands. Alpha and beta band dynamics differed across experimental blocks, though these changes did not directly mirror behavioral effects. Post-response alpha and beta activity were more pronounced in persistence-biased states, indicating a neural reset mechanism preparing for future cognitive demands. By using a novel artificial neural networks method, directed connectivity analyses revealed enhanced inter-regional communication during persistence states, suggesting stronger top-down control and sensorimotor integration. Overall, theta band activity was closely tied to metacontrol processes, while alpha and beta bands played a role in resetting the neural system for upcoming tasks. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the neural substrates involved in metacontrol and conflict monitoring, emphasizing the distinct roles of different frequency bands in these cognitive processes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811924004129Action monitoringMetacontrolThetaAlphaBetaEEG |
| spellingShingle | Xi Wang Nasibeh Talebi Xianzhen Zhou Bernhard Hommel Christian Beste Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulation NeuroImage Action monitoring Metacontrol Theta Alpha Beta EEG |
| title | Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulation |
| title_full | Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulation |
| title_fullStr | Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulation |
| title_short | Neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states: EEG insights into conflict regulation |
| title_sort | neurophysiological dynamics of metacontrol states eeg insights into conflict regulation |
| topic | Action monitoring Metacontrol Theta Alpha Beta EEG |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811924004129 |
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