Neural correlates of error processing:An ALE meta-analysis

The neural correlates of error processing have been investigated by manyneuroimaging studies on interference tasks. Furthermore, it has been suggested that thenetwork processing errors is part of a wider network responsible for conflict monitoring. Byusing Activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis the aim of this thesis was to delineateregions constantly involved in error processing and compare these regions to those involvedin conflict monitoring. Therefore, a total of 38 experiments probing error processing inhealthy subjects were included in the main analysis. Results revealed a network for errorprocessing containing the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) extending into the left superiormedial gyrus (SMG) and the left pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), as well as the leftand right anterior insula (aI) extending into the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and thebilateral supramarginal gyrus and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Performinga conjunction analysis across these results with those of a meta-analysis across conflictmonitoring revealed conjoint activity of the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) extendinginto the pre-SMA as well as the bilateral aI and the right supramarginal gyrus. Compared tothe network of conflict monitoring stronger significant convergence across studies was foundfor error processing in the rostral ACC, the bilateral aI lying more lateral than the effect foundin the conjunction analysis and the bilateral supramarginal gyrus, for the right supramarginalgyrus lying more lateral than the effect found in the conjunction. Taken together these resultsprovide evidence for the hypothesis that there is not a specific network for error processing,but rather argue for a more general, unitary system for monitoring of cognitive conflict thatalso involves error monitoring