Properties of lower level processing modulate the actions of the norepinephrine system during response inhibition.

Properties of lower level processing modulate the actions of the norepinephrine system during response inhibition.
Biol Psychol. 2020 Feb 04;:107862
Authors: Mückschel M, Ziemssen T, Beste C
Abstract
We ask whether actions of the norepinephrine (NE) system during response inhibition are affected by properties of lower level sensory stimulus processing. We used a somato-sensory Go/Nogo task and combined ERP recordings with pupil diameter recordings as an index of NE system activity. The Go/Nogo task was designed to achieve processing of tactile stimuli predominantly over primary somatosensory (SI) and secondary somatosensory (SII) areas. The data show that response inhibition was better when stimuli were processed via SII, compared to SI areas. This was reflected by variations in the Nogo-N2/P3 associated with anterior cingulate structures. Correlations with the pupil diameter data, indicting modulations of the NE system during inhibitory control processes, were only evident when SI sensory areas were involved. These dissociable modulatory effects were associated with activations in the superior frontal gyrus. Actions of the NE system during response inhibition are modulated by properties of lower level processing.
PMID: 32032625 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Biological Psychology - February 3, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Mückschel M, Ziemssen T, Beste C Tags: Biol Psychol Source Type: research