Cognitive electrophysiology of frontal brain functions: II. Action monitoring and dopamine

Introduction: Shortly after an erroneous response activation the event-related brain potential (ERP) reveals two components, a fronto-central negativity, the error (related) negativity (Ne or ERN) and a subsequent parietal positivity, the error positivity (Pe). One major source of the Ne ist the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We earlier proposed that the Ne reflects an error detection process in form of a mismatch between representations of the performed (incorrect response activity) and the intended (correct) response. The Pe is assumed to reflect the conscious recognition of a full error. Recently it has bee…