Gernot R Müller-Putz

Sequence effects and SSD are associated with N2 and P3 signals during stopping in a visual stop signal task

Knut Andre Skaug, Lars Vidar Magnusson, Rene Jürgen Huster

Studies combining the stop signal task (SST) with Electroencephalogram (EEG) have often asked whether the frontocentral N2 and P3 components are influenced by failed versus successful stopping. Estimates of the N2 and P3 commonly reflect averages across experimental trials per individual allowing for assessing mean-level effects. The probability of responding to a stop trial is influenced by task parameters such as the stop signal delay and the asymmetric presentation frequency of Go and Stop trials. Trial-by-trial variation in task parameters like the stop signal delay have been shown to influence brain activity differences between stop outcomes in fMRI data but have not been investigated in EEG data. Changes in the global frequency of Go and Stop trials have been shown to influence behavioral performance and the N2 and P3 components but potential influences of local sequential dependencies that may arise on a trial-by-trial basis have simply been ignored. It is possible that both the SSD and local sequential dependencies arising from past trial histories systematically influence N2 and P3 amplitudes or latencies during stopping. This study used mixed effects modeling to assess associations between SSD, sequential dependencies, and single trial estimates of latency and amplitude of the N2 and P3 components during failed and successful stopping. We specified interactions between both predictor variables and the two stop outcomes. The results showed complex curvilinear associations between the latency of the N2 and P3 components with SSD. Longer SSDs were associated with shorter latencies while only the N2 showed significant interaction with stop outcomes. Sequential dependencies were significantly associated with the N2 and P3 amplitudes. A longer series of go trials was associated with more negative N2 amplitudes and more positive P3 amplitudes. The N2 amplitude was larger after having recently encountered a stop trial, while the P3 amplitude increased at a similar rate during both failed and successful stopping. Together, these results indicate that accounting for the influence of SSD and sequential dependencies on ERP estimates of the N2 and P3 components is of high importance, particularly in studies comparing clinical to healthy control participants.

Correction: Decoding the mechanisms of acupuncture by neuroimaging: an integrated review from networks to molecules

Shiping Liu, Yan Bai, Jie Liu, Xia Chen, Peizhu Lv, Yulin Wang, Dandan Wang, Shun Wang

Editorial: Brain-based mechanisms underlying the cognitive, sleep, and emotional benefits of aerobic exercise

Keying Zhang, Chunmei Cao, Yih-Kuen Jan

Correction: Perioperative management for invasive brain–computer interface implantation under surgical navigation in a patient with traumatic spinal cord injury: a case report

Shuhui Yang, Qiang Sun, Hong Mo, Wenyao Cui

Auditory object identification and localisation training for hyperacusis: preliminary effects on sound tolerance and noise acceptance

Sana Aljoj, Grant Donald Searchfield

Hyperacusis is characterised by reduced tolerance to everyday sounds and can substantially affect quality of life. This study investigated whether an auditory training programme designed to enhance auditory attention, auditory object identification, and sound localisation would reduce hyperacusis. Sixteen adults with hyperacusis completed a two-week auditory training intervention delivered through the QCore™ Tinnitus Therapy Platform. Participants completed 20 min of training daily using game-based sound identification and localisation tasks. Outcome measures were obtained before and after the intervention and included Loudness Discomfort Levels (LDLs), Acceptable Noise Levels (ANLs), and Noise Sensitivity Questionnaire (NoiSeQ) scores. Pre- and post-intervention performance was compared to evaluate changes in sound tolerance, acceptance of background noise, and perceived noise sensitivity. Following the intervention, participants demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures. LDLs increased, indicating greater tolerance of tones. ANLs decreased, reflecting improved acceptance of background noise during listening tasks. NoiSeQ scores also improved, suggesting a reduction in self-reported noise sensitivity. Collectively, these findings indicate enhanced auditory tolerance and reduced sensitivity to environmental sounds were associated with training. A two-week auditory training programme was associated with improvements in objective and subjective measures of hyperacusis. The findings support the hypothesis that targeting auditory attention and auditory scene analysis may enhance sound tolerance and listening comfort in individuals with hyperacusis. The training represents a promising adjunct to existing hyperacusis management approaches. Controlled studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are warranted to confirm these findings and investigate their underlying mechanisms.