The role of the anterior cingulate cortex in conflict processing: Evidencefrom reverse Stroop interference

A recent theoretical account delineated the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in cognitive control as the detection of conflict between comp eting information streams. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined the activity of this brain structure during different forms and de grees of conflict between the word and the color dimensions of Stroop stimu li. Overall, our results showed a dissociation between the degree of confli ct and ACC activation. More specifically, although ACC activation was very extensive when print color interfered with word reading performance, the le vel of conflict, as measured by reaction time costs, was only moderate comp ared to other conditions. These results suggest that either the ACC is diff erentially sensitive to various types of conflict or its function should be extended to include other cognitive constructs, such as resolution of prio r inhibition. (C) 2001 Academic Press.