Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 129.5 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Voluntary selection of task sets revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). |
| Authors: |
Forstmann, B. U.*1
; Brass, M.1
; Koch, I.2
; von Cramon, D. Y.1
1Department of Cognitive Neurology, Max Planck Inst. for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany 2Germany, Stephanstr. 1a, 04103, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human Cognition, Behavior, and Anatomy -- Attention |
| Session: |
129. Attention I Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 13, 2005 9:00 AM-9:15 AM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Room 145A |
| Keywords: | Prefrontal Cortex , Executive Function, Decision Making, functional MRI |
Introduction
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is thought to play an important role especially for our ability to orchestrate thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals. In experimental psychology, cognitive control has been investigated using the so-called task-switching paradigm. In this paradigm, participants have to selectively adapt their behavior to different situations and tasks. Most importantly, participants are always unequivocally told what to do and cannot deliberately decide which task to perform. This leads to the question whether the task-switching paradigm is suited to investigate active control processes.
Methods
The present fMRI study aimed at investigating processes which are relevant when participants themselves can decide which task to perform. Four simple discrimination tasks were used. The number of tasks to choose from was varied between a non-choice (1 degree of freedom; DF) and two choice conditions (2 DF or 3 DF).
Results
The behavioral results revealed a difference for the choice conditions versus the non-choice condition (874ms vs. 829ms). No selection-specific difference between choice conditions was obtained (3 DF vs. 2 DF). The fMRI results corroborated these findings. The difference between choice conditions versus the non-choice condition revealed activations in the rostral cingulate zone (RCZ) and in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC).
Discussion
The findings indicate that distinct brain areas are involved in the free selection of abstract task set information in an all-or-none fashion. We propose that the PPC subserves the visual attentional selection of task sets. Finally, the RCZ is assumed to play a substantial role for the voluntary selection of the task set. This finding is in line with results providing evidence for the RCZ to be involved when we exercise our volition.
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is thought to play an important role especially for our ability to orchestrate thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals. In experimental psychology, cognitive control has been investigated using the so-called task-switching paradigm. In this paradigm, participants have to selectively adapt their behavior to different situations and tasks. Most importantly, participants are always unequivocally told what to do and cannot deliberately decide which task to perform. This leads to the question whether the task-switching paradigm is suited to investigate active control processes.
Methods
The present fMRI study aimed at investigating processes which are relevant when participants themselves can decide which task to perform. Four simple discrimination tasks were used. The number of tasks to choose from was varied between a non-choice (1 degree of freedom; DF) and two choice conditions (2 DF or 3 DF).
Results
The behavioral results revealed a difference for the choice conditions versus the non-choice condition (874ms vs. 829ms). No selection-specific difference between choice conditions was obtained (3 DF vs. 2 DF). The fMRI results corroborated these findings. The difference between choice conditions versus the non-choice condition revealed activations in the rostral cingulate zone (RCZ) and in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC).
Discussion
The findings indicate that distinct brain areas are involved in the free selection of abstract task set information in an all-or-none fashion. We propose that the PPC subserves the visual attentional selection of task sets. Finally, the RCZ is assumed to play a substantial role for the voluntary selection of the task set. This finding is in line with results providing evidence for the RCZ to be involved when we exercise our volition.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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