Surprise: Unexpected Action Execution and Unexpected Inhibition Recruit the Same Fronto-Basal-Ganglia Network

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1681-20.2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12-29T18:50:16Z
• Authors: Alexandra Sebastian; Anne Maria Konken; Michael Schaum; Klaus Lieb; Oliver Tüscher; Patrick Jung
• Keywords: Stop signal; Subthalamic Nucleus; Action selection; Stimulus (psychology)

Unexpected and thus surprising events are omnipresent oftentimes require adaptive behavior such as unexpected inhibition or action. The current theory of suggests that just like global stopping recruit a fronto-basal-ganglia network. A suppressive effect impacting ongoing motor responses cognition is specifically attributed to the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Previous studies either used separate tasks presented unexpected, task-unrelated stimuli during response relate neural signature stopping. Here, we aimed test these predictions using within task design with identical stimulus material for both action functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) first time. To this end, 32 healthy human participants sexes performed cue-informed go/nogo comprising expected trials fMRI. Using conjunction, contrast, Bayesian analyses, demonstrate elicited by an go signal nogo recruited same network which usually assigned Furthermore, stronger action-related activity in STN region was more detrimental on times. present results complement earlier findings provide direct evidence unified while ruling out alternative novelty effects.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study whether regardless they In contrast previous studies, conditions one task. enabled us directly and, moreover, condition-specific signatures. underpin processes excluding effects. simple provides avenue studying surprise pure form reactive neuropsychiatric patients displaying inhibitory deficits who often have limited testing capacity.