Emotional enhancement of error detection : the role of perceptual processing and inhibition monitoring in failed auditory stop trials

The first aim of the present study was to test whether arousing, aversive sounds can influence inhibitory task performance and lead to increased error monitoring relative to a neutral task condition. The second aim was to examine whether the enhancement of error monitoring in an affective context (if present) could be predicted from stop-signal-related brain activity. Participants performed an emotional stop-signal task that required response inhibition to aversive and neutral auditory stimuli. The behavioral data revealed that unpleasant sounds facilitated inhibitory processing by decreasing the stop-signal reaction time and increasing the inhibitory rate relative to neutral tones. Aversive sounds evoked larger N1, P3, and Pe components, indicating improvements in perceptual processing, inhibition, and conscious error monitoring. A first regression analysis, conducted regardless of the category of the stop signal, revealed that both selected indexes of stop-signal-related brain activity - the N1 and P3 amplitudes recorded in the unsuccessfully inhibited trials - significantly accounted for the Pe component variance, explaining a large amount of the observed variation (66%). A second regression model, focused on difference measures (emotional minus neutral), revealed that the affective increase in the P3 amplitude on failed stop trials was the only factor that significantly accounted for the emotional enhancement effect in the Pe amplitude. This suggests that, in general (regardless of stop - signal condition), error processing is stronger if the erroneous response directly follows the stimulus, which was effectively processed on both the perceptual and action - monitoring levels. However, only inhibition - monitoring evidence accounts for the emotional increase in conscious error detection

Post-error brain activity correlates with incidental memory for negative words

The present study had three main objectives. First, we aimed to evaluate whether short-duration affective states induced by negative and positive words can lead to increased error-monitoring activity relative to a neutral task condition. Second, we intended to determine whether such an enhancement is limited to words of specific valence or is a general response to arousing material. Third, we wanted to assess whether post-error brain activity is associated with incidental memory for negative and/or positive words. Participants performed an emotional stop-signal task that required response inhibition to negative, positive or neutral nouns while EEG was recorded. Immediately after the completion of the task, they were instructed to recall as many of the presented words as they could in an unexpected free recall test. We observed significantly greater brain activity in the error-positivity (Pe) time window in both negative and positive trials. The error-related negativity amplitudes were comparable in both the neutral and emotional arousing trials, regardless of their valence. Regarding behavior, increased processing of emotional words was reflected in better incidental recall. Importantly, the memory performance for negative words was positively correlated with the Pe amplitude, particularly in the negative condition. The source localization analysis revealed that the subsequent memory recall for negative words was associated with widespread bilateral brain activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and in the medial frontal gyrus, which was registered in the Pe time window during negative trials. The present study has several important conclusions. First, it indicates that the emotional enhancement of error monitoring, as reflected by the Pe amplitude, may be induced by stimuli with symbolic, ontogenetically learned emotional significance. Second, it indicates that the emotion-related enhancement of the Pe occurs across both negative and positive conditions, thus it is preferentially driven by the arousal content of an affective stimuli. Third, our findings suggest that enhanced error monitoring and facilitated recall of negative words may both reflect responsivity to negative events. More speculatively, they can also indicate that post-error activity of the medial prefrontal cortex may selectively support encoding for negative stimuli and contribute to their privileged access to memory

Bilingualism caught in a net: A new approach to understanding the complexity of bilingual experience

The growing importance of research on bilingualism in psychology and neuroscience motivates the need for a psychometric model that can be used to understand and quantify this phenomenon. This research is the first to meet this need. We reanalyzed two data sets (N = 171 and N = 112) from relatively young adult language-unbalanced bilinguals and asked whether bilingualism is best described by the factor structure or by the network structure. The factor and network models were established on one data set and then validated on the other data set in a fully confirmatory manner. The network model provided the best fit to the data. This implies that bilingualism should be conceptualized as an emergent phenomenon arising from direct and idiosyncratic dependencies among the history of language acquisition, diverse language skills, and language-use practices. These dependencies can be reduced to neither a single universal quotient nor to some more general factors. Additional in-depth network analyses showed that the subjective perception of proficiency along with language entropy and language mixing were the most central indices of bilingualism, thus indicating that these measures can be especially sensitive to variation in the overall bilingual experience. Overall, this work highlights the great potential of psychometric network modeling to gain a more accurate description and understanding of complex (psycho)linguistic and cognitive phenomena

Patterns of bilingual language use and response inhibition : a test of the adaptive control hypothesis

Given prior studies that provided inconsistent results, there is an ongoing debate on the issue of whether bilingualism benefits cognitive control. We tested the Adaptive Control Hypothesis, according to which only the intense use of different languages in the same situation without mixing them in single utterances (called dual-language context) confers a bilingual advantage in response inhibition. In a large-scale correlational study, we attempted to circumvent several pitfalls of previous research on the bilingual advantage by testing a relatively large sample of participants and employing a more reliable and valid measurement of constructs (i.e., latent variable approach accompanied by Bayesian estimation). Our results do not support the Adaptive Control Hypothesis' prediction: the intensity of the dual-language context experience was unrelated to the efficiency of response inhibition in bilinguals. The results suggest that the Adaptive Control Hypothesis is not likely to account for the inconsistent results regarding the bilingual advantage hypothesis, at least in the case of the response-inhibition mechanism. At the same time, the study points to the problem of measuring the response-inhibition construct at the behavioral level. No evidence for a robust response-inhibition construct adds to the growing skepticism on this issue in the literature

A qualitative analysis of the ACE-III profile in the differential diagnosis of dementia syndromes

Skala Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) jest poszerzonym narzędziem przesiewowej oceny funkcji poznawczych, użytecznym we wczesnym wykrywaniu zaburzeń poznawczych, wstępnej diagnostyce różnicowej zespołów otępiennych oraz monitorowaniu postępu choroby. ACE-III ocenia uwagę i orientację, pamięć, fluencję słowną, funkcje językowe i wzrokowo-przestrzenne. Skala może być używana przez lekarzy i psychologów, zarówno jako narzędzie przesiewowe, jak i jako wstęp do kompleksowej oceny neuropsychologicznej. ACE-III zawiera również krótsze narzędzie, Mini-ACE, które w razie potrzeby może być stosowane niezależnie. W niniejszej pracy ACE-III porównano z innymi najbardziej popularnymi skalami przesiewowej oceny funkcji poznawczych: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) oraz Montrealską Skalą Oceny Funkcji Poznawczych (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA). Następnie omówiono przydatność kliniczną analizy profilu wykonania ACE-III w diagnostyce różnicowej wybranych chorób neurozwyrodnieniowych. Zaprezentowano profile wykonania ACE-III typowe dla choroby Alzheimera (zarówno o wczesnym, jak i o późnym początku), zwyrodnienia czołowo-skroniowego, choroby Parkinsona, atypowych zespołów parkinsonowskich oraz otępienia naczyniopochodnego. Spośród atypowych wariantów choroby Alzheimera uwzględniono zanik korowy tylny, wariant logopeniczny afazji pierwotnej postępującej i wariant czołowy. Spośród podstawowych wariantów zwyrodnienia czołowo-skroniowego przedstawiono wariant behawioralny otępienia czołowo-skroniowego oraz niepłynny i semantyczny wariant afazji pierwotnej postępującej. Wreszcie spośród zespołów parkinsonizm plus omówiono otępienie z ciałami Lewy’ego, zanik wieloukładowy, postępujące porażenie ponadjądrowe i zwyrodnienie korowo-podstawne.Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) is an extended cognitive screening instrument for an early detection of cognitive impairment, initial differential diagnosis of dementia syndromes and monitoring of disease progression. ACE-III assesses attention and orientation, memory, verbal fluency, language and visuospatial function. The scale may be used by physicians and psychologists as either a stand-alone cognitive screening or an introduction to a more in-depth neuropsychological assessment. It comprises a shorter scale, Mini-ACE, which can also be used independently as a very short screening. In this paper, the ACE-III was compared with other most common cognitive screening tools, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We have presented the clinical utility of ACE-III profile analysis in the differential diagnosis of selected neurodegenerative diseases. We have reviewed ACE-III profiles typical for late and early onset Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndromes, Parkinson’s disease and a typical parkinsonian syndromes as well as vascular dementia. Among Alzheimer’s disease atypical variants, posterior cortical atrophy, logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia and frontal variant have been discussed. As regards the frontotemporal lobar degeneration spectrum, the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia, non-f luent and semantic variants of primary progressive aphasia have been presented. Finally, among parkinsonism plus syndromes, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration have been reviewed

Cognitive functions in patients with liver cirrhosis : a tendency to commit more memory errors

Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the mildest form of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). For diagnostic purposes, 2 alternative batteries of psychometric screening tests are recommended. They differ from each other in terms of the cognitive domains assessed. The research was designed to provide a profile of cognitive functioning in patients with liver cirrhosis, using an assessment that covers a wider range of cognitive functions than the usual screening battery. Material and Methods: We examined 138 persons, including 88 with liver cirrhosis and 50 healthy volunteers. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used for screening and excluding advanced cognitive impairment. Then, to assess cognitive functions in more detail, the following tests were used: Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Letter and Semantic Fluency Tests (LF and SF), Trail Making Test (TMT A&B), Digit Symbol Test (DST), Block Design Test (BDT), and Mental Rotation Test (MRT). The MRT task has not been used in MHE diagnosis so far. Finally, 57 patients and 48 controls took part in the entire study. Results: Patients with liver cirrhosis commit significantly more errors of intrusions in the AVLT during the delayed free recall trial. Results significantly deviating from the norm in at least 2 tests were found only in 7 cirrhosis patients. Conclusions: The results do not provide any specific profile of cognitive disturbances in MHE, but suggest that cirrhosis patients have a tendency to commit more memory errors, probably due to subtle impairments of executive function

Czy spektroskopia rezonansu magnetycznego identyfikuje pacjentów z minimalną encefalopatią wątrobową?

Wstęp i cel pracy: Wyniki pojedynczych badań sugerują, że spektroskopia rezonansu magnetycznego mózgu może być pomocna w wykrywaniu minimalnej encefalopatii wątrobowej. Celem tego badania była ocena przydatności spektroskopii rezonansu magnetycznego w odróżnianiu pacjentów z marskością wątroby z minimalną encefalopatią wątrobową od pacjentów bez tej encefalopatii. Materiał i metody: Badanie spektroskopii rezonansu magnetycznego mózgu przeprowadzono u 46 pacjentów z marskością wątroby bez jawnej encefalopatii i u 45 osób z grupy kontrolnej. Rejestracji widm dokonano z trzech obszarów mózgu: zwojów podstawy, istoty szarej płata potylicznego i istoty białej płata czołowego. U wszystkich badanych osób przeprowadzono badanie neurologiczne i neuropsychologiczne. Wyniki: U pacjentów z marskością wątroby stwierdzono obniżenie stosunku mioinozytolu do kreatyny w zakresie płata potylicznego i czołowego (średnie odpowiednio 0,17 ± 0,05 vs 0,20 ± 0,04, p = 0,01 oraz 0,15 ± 0,05 vs 0,19 ± 0,04, p < 0,01) oraz zmniejszenie stosunku choliny do kreatyny w płacie potylicznym (średnia: 0,32 ± 0,07 vs 0,36 ± 0,08, p = 0,03) w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną. Minimalną encefalopatię wątrobową rozpoznano u 7 pacjentów. Stosunek metabolitów nie różnił się istotnie u pacjentów z minimalną encefalopatią wątrobową i bez niej. Nie stwierdzono także różnicy w stężeniu metabolitów u pacjentów z niewydolnością wątroby zakwalifikowanych do kategorii A w skali Child-Pugh w porównaniu z pacjentami zakwalifikowanymi do kategorii B. Wnioski: Spektroskopia rezonansu magnetycznego nie pozwala na dokładne rozpoznanie minimalnej encefalopatii wątrobowej. Podobny profil metabolitów w mózgu obserwuje się u pacjentów z marskością wątroby bez zaburzeń poznawczych.Background and purpose: The results of a few studies suggest that magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the brain could allow detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. The goal of this study was to assess the ability of magnetic resonance spectroscopy to differentiate between cirrhotic patients with and without minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Material and methods: Localized magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed in the basal ganglia, occipital gray matter and frontal white matter in 46 patients with liver cirrhosis without overt encephalopathy and in 45 controls. Neurological and neuropsychological examination was performed in each participant. Results: The patients with liver cirrhosis had a decreased ratio of myoinositol to creatine in occipital gray matter and frontal white matter (mean: 0.17 ± 0.05 vs. 0.20 ± 0.04, p = 0.01 and 0.15 ± 0.05 vs. 0.19 ± 0.04, p < 0.01, respectively) and a decreased ratio of choline to creatine in occipital gray matter (mean: 0.32 ± 0.07 vs. 0.36 ± 0.08, p = 0.03). Minimal hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed in 7 patients. Metabolite ratios did not differ significantly between patients with and without minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Metabolite ratios did not differ significantly between patients with Child-Pugh A and those with Child-Pugh B. Conclusions: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy does not allow accurate diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. A similar profile of metabolites in the brain is observed in cirrhotic patients without cognitive impairment

Czy spektroskopia rezonansu magnetycznego identyfikuje pacjentów z minimalną encefalopatią wątrobową?

Background and purpose The results of a few studies suggest that magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the brain could allow detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. The goal of this study was to assess the ability of magnetic resonance spectroscopy to differentiate between cirrhotic patients with and without minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Material and methods Localized magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed in the basal ganglia, occipital gray matter and frontal white matter in 46 patients with liver cirrhosis without overt encephalopathy and in 45 controls. Neurological and neuropsychological examination was performed in each participant. Results The patients with liver cirrhosis had a decreased ratio of myoinositol to creatine in occipital gray matter and frontal white matter (mean: 0.17 ± 0.05 vs. 0.20 ± 0.04, p = 0.01 and 0.15 ± 0.05 vs. 0.19 ± 0.04, p &lt; 0.01, respectively) and a decreased ratio of choline to creatine in occipital gray matter (mean: 0.32 ± 0.07 vs. 0.36 ± 0.08, p = 0.03). Minimal hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed in 7 patients. Metabolite ratios did not differ significantly between patients with and without minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Metabolite ratios did not differ significantly between patients with Child-Pugh A and those with Child-Pugh B. Conclusions Magnetic resonance spectroscopy does not allow accurate diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. A similar profile of metabolites in the brain is observed in cirrhotic patients without cognitive impairment.Wstęp i cel pracy Wyniki pojedynczych badań sugerują, że spektroskopia rezonansu magnetycznego mózgu może być pomocna w wykrywaniu minimalnej encefalopatii wątrobowej. Celem tego badania była ocena przydatności spektroskopii rezonansu magnetycznego w odróżnianiu pacjentów z marskością wątroby z minimalną encefalopatią wątrobową od pacjentów bez tej encefalopatii. Materiał i metody Badanie spektroskopii rezonansu magnetycznego mózgu przeprowadzono u 46 pacjentów z marskością wątroby bez jawnej encefalopatii i u 45 osób z grupy kontrolnej. Rejestracji widm dokonano z trzech obszarów mózgu: zwojów podstawy, istoty szarej płata potylicznego i istoty białej płata czołowego. U wszystkich badanych osób przeprowadzono badanie neurologiczne i neuropsychologiczne. Wyniki U pacjentów z marskością wątroby stwierdzono obniżenie stosunku mioinozytolu do kreatyny w zakresie płata potylicznego i czołowego (średnie odpowiednio 0,17 ± 0,05 vs 0,20 ± 0,04, p = 0,01 oraz 0,15 ± 0,05 vs 0,19 ± 0,04, p &lt; 0,01) oraz zmniejszenie stosunku choliny do kreatyny w płacie potylicznym (średnia: 0,32 ± 0,07 vs 0,36 ± 0,08, p = 0,03) w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną. Minimalną encefalopatię wątrobową rozpoznano u 7 pacjentów. Stosunek metabolitów nie różnił się istotnie u pacjentów z minimalną encefalopatią wątrobową i bez niej. Nie stwierdzono także różnicy w stężeniu metabolitów u pacjentów z niewydolnością wątroby zakwalifikowanych do kategorii A w skali Child-Pugh w porównaniu z pacjentami zakwalifikowanymi do kategorii B. Wnioski Spektroskopia rezonansu magnetycznego nie pozwala na dokładne rozpoznanie minimalnej encefalopatii wątrobowej. Podobny profil metabolitów w mózgu obserwuje się u pacjentów z marskością wątroby bez zaburzeń poznawczych