Cited by 1,056Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurobiology of Language and BilingualismNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Anterior cingulate cortex and conflict detection: an update of theory and data

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Carter, Cameron S., van Veen, Vincent·2007·Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience

Abstract

The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and associated regions of the medial frontal wall have often been hypothesized to play an important role in cognitive control. We have proposed that the ACC's specific role in cognitive control is to detect conflict between simultaneously active, competing representations and to engage the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to resolve such conflict. Here we review some of the evidence supporting this theory, from event-related potential (ERP) and fMRI studies. We focus on data obtained from interference tasks, such as the Stroop task, and review the evidence that trial-to-trial changes in control engagement can be understood as driven by conflict detection; the data suggest that levels of activation of the ACC and the DLPFC in such tasks do indeed reflect conflict and control, respectively. We also discuss some discrepant results in the literature that highlight the need for future research.

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  • The dACC has been implicated in supervisory cognitive functions such as conflict monitoring, expectancy violation, and decision-making errors.

    “The dACC has been implicated in supervisory cognitive functions such as conflict monitoring, expectancy violation, and decision-making errors (Carter and Van Veen, 2007, Somerville et al., 2006).”

    From Adolescent neurobiological susceptibility to social context (2016) · cites this paper as Carter and Van Veen, 2007, Somerville et al., 2006

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  1. In J. R. Jennings, P. K. Ackles, & M. G. H. Coles (Eds.), Advances in psychophysiology (Vol. 4, pp. 43-106). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

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Authors
Carter, C. S., & van Veen, V.
Affiliations
University of California Davis Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Carter, Cameron S.
Venue
Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience
Published
2007-12
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
367-379
ISSN
  • 1530-7026 (ISSN-L)
  • 1531-135X
OpenAlex
W2061496397
Cited by
1,056
References
160
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 56 · 2018: 109 · 2017: 61 · 2016: 83 · 2015: 61 · 2014: 90 · 2013: 98 · 2012: 75
FWCI
2.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
anterior cingulate cortex, conflict detection, cognitive control, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, Stroop task, interference task, trial-to-trial variability, medial frontal cortex
MeSH terms
Animals, Cognition, Conflict, Psychological, Humans, Psychomotor Performance, Prefrontal Cortex

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