Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Stopping is a critical aspect of brain function. Like other voluntary actions, it is defined by its context as much as by its execution. Its neural substrate must therefore reflect both. Here, we distinguish those elements of the underlying brain circuit that preferentially reflect contextual aspects of stopping from those related to its execution. Contextual complexity of stopping was modulated using a novel "Stop/Change-signal" task, which also allowed us to parameterize the duration of the stopping process. Human magnetoencephalographic activity and behavioral responses were simultaneously recorded. Whereas theta/alpha frequency activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus was most closely associated with the duration of the stopping process, earlier gamma frequency activity in the pre-supplementary motor area was unique in showing contextual modulation. These results differentiate the roles of 2 key frontal regions involved in stopping, a crucial aspect of behavioral control.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/cercor/bhv027

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cereb Cortex

Publication Date

11/2015

Volume

25

Pages

4392 - 4406

Keywords

conditional complexity, inferior frontal gyrus, magnetoencephalography, pre-supplementary motor area, stop-signal, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Brain Mapping, Electroencephalography, Female, Frontal Lobe, Functional Laterality, Humans, Inhibition (Psychology), Magnetoencephalography, Male, Photic Stimulation, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Time Factors, Young Adult