Htqe.2023.42

https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2023.42 | 534-542 | PDF

Exploration of EEG Markers of Sensorimotor Functioning During Incorrect versus Correct Decisions

Aleksandrs Kolesovs, Klavs Evelis, Liga Ozolina-Molla, Liga Plakane, Juris Porozovs, Viktors Veliks
University of Latvia, Latvia

Abstract. Open-skill sports are demanding for athletes’ decision-making. Incorrect decisions can have substantial consequences. Complex programs for elite athletes include improvement of their neurocognitive functioning. Simultaneously, making errors remains underrepresented in broader sports science. The present study explored EEG markers of sensorimotor reactions under incorrect versus correct responses to visual stimuli.
Seven male participants (24.2±2.5 years) completed the Choice Response Time task (CRT) with simultaneous EEG registration. Two color stimuli (red and green) and a discriminative stimulus (black) were presented on an LCD screen, using PSYCHOTOOLBOX coded CRT task. Stimulus and response events were synchronized with EEG amplifier NVX-136, and 32 channels of EEG were recorded. Data were preprocessed in EEGLAB, and event-related potential (ERP) calculations were performed in ERPLAB. ERP was analyzed for correct and incorrect color choices and reactions to the discriminative stimulus. The electrodes represented the visual (O1, Oz, O2), frontal (F3, Fz, F4), and sensorimotor (C3, Cz, C4) cortex.
Behavior data revealed a shorter reaction time during the incorrect decision (4.6% of cases) than during the correct one, 398.1±55 ms vs. 456.8±96 ms. In the N2 peak area, the incorrect color stage differed significantly from the two correct stages (e.g., the amplitude of -1.624 mkV at a latency of 264 ms for the correct color stage and -1.779 mkV at a latency of 254 ms for the correct discriminating stage vs. -3.716 mkV at a latency of 300 ms for the incorrect color stage for channel F3, peak N2).
Correct decision stages had similar ERP wave peak patterns. Incorrect decisions deviate from functioning during correct ones. Differences in the N2 peak area represented conflict in decision-making during incorrect decisions. Simultaneously, the shorter latency of a motor reaction requires investigating the role of decision-making conflicts in impulse control and behavioral consequences.

Keywords: electroencephalography, errors, event-related potential, reaction time, sensorimotor functioning.

Data collection for this exploratory study was supported by the Latvian Council of Science under Fundamental and Applied Research grant No. lzp-2019/1-0152.

In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2023. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2023. Rakstu krājums
Riga, University of Latvia, 2023. 796 p. Ed. L. Daniela
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2023
ISBN 978-9934-36-116-6