Error processing and the rostral anterior cingulate: An event-related fMRIstudy

The anterior cingulate is believed to play a crucial role in the regulation of thought and action. Recent evidence suggests that the anterior cingulat e may play a role in the detection of inappropriate responses. We used even t-related functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques to examine the n eural responses to appropriate (correct rejects and correct hits) and inapp ropriate (errors of commission) behavioral responses during a go/no-go task Analyses of the inappropriate responses revealed extensive activation in t he rostral anterior cingulate cortex and in the left lateral frontal cortex . These areas were not activated for correctly classified trials (correct r ejects and correct hits). These data suggest that the rostral anterior cing ulate and left lateral frontal cortex are integral components of the brain' s error checking system.