Flexible neural mechanisms of cognitive control within human prefrontal cortex.
Open accessAbstract
A major challenge in research on executive control is to reveal its functional decomposition into underlying neural mechanisms. A typical assumption is that this decomposition occurs solely through anatomically based dissociations. Here we tested an alternative hypothesis that different cognitive control processes may be implemented within the same brain regions, with fractionation and dissociation occurring on the basis of temporal dynamics. Regions within lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) were examined that, in a prior study, exhibited contrasting temporal dynamics between older and younger adults during performance of the AX-CPT cognitive control task. The temporal dynamics in younger adults fit a proactive control pattern (primarily cue-based activation), whereas in older adults a reactive control pattern was found (primarily probe-based activation). In the current study, we found that following a period of task-strategy training, these older adults exhibited a proactive shift within a subset of the PFC regions, normalizing their activity dynamics toward young adult patterns. Conversely, under conditions of penalty-based monetary incentives, the younger adults exhibited a reactive shift some of the same regions, altering their temporal dynamics toward the older adult baseline pattern. These experimentally induced crossover patterns of temporal dynamics provide strong support for dual modes of cognitive control that can be flexibly shifted within PFC regions, via modulation of neural responses to changing task conditions or behavioral goals.
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Distinct executive control strategies (proactive versus reactive) have been proposed to support cognitive flexibility.
“the adjustment of distinct executive control strategies (proactive versus reactive), which have been proposed to support cognitive flexibility2 (Braver et al., 2009; Burgess et al., 2011; Braver, 2012).”
From Training on Working Memory and Inhibitory Control in Young Adults (2016) · cites this paper as Braver et al., 2009
Proactive and reactive control adjustment can be assessed by considering the proportion of errors in AY and BX type trials.
“Proactive and reactive control adjustment can be assessed by considering the proportion of errors in AY and BX type trials (Braver et al., 2009; Morales et al., 2013; Chiew and Braver, 2014).”
From Training on Working Memory and Inhibitory Control in Young Adults (2016) · cites this paper as Braver et al., 2009
The AX-CPT is widely used to explore the dynamic adjustment of cognitive control strategies and it has shown to be very sensitive to individual differences in cognitive control.
“The AX-CPT is widely used to explore the dynamic adjustment of cognitive control strategies and it has shown to be very sensitive to individual differences in cognitive control (Braver et al., 2009; Burgess et al., 2011; Braver, 2012).”
From Training on Working Memory and Inhibitory Control in Young Adults (2016) · cites this paper as Braver et al., 2009
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- Authors
- Braver, T. S., Paxton, J. L., Locke, H. S., & Barch, D. M.
- Affiliations
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- Venue
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Publisher
- National Academy of Sciences
- Published
- 2009-05-05
- Volume
- 106
- Issue
- 18
- Pages
- 7351-7356
- ISSN
- 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
- 1091-6490
- PMC
- PMC2678630
- OpenAlex
- W2134266007
- Cited by
- 689
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 34 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 48 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 49 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 29
- FWCI
- 12.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH066078, R0I MH66078)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Keywords
- cognitive control, executive function, lateral prefrontal cortex, proactive control, reactive control, temporal dynamics of neural activity, aging, financial incentives, AX-CPT, age differences
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cognition, Female, Humans, Male, Neurons, Prefrontal Cortex, Young Adult
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