Neuronal activity in human anterior cingulate cortex modulates with internal cognitive state during multi-source interference task

Samuel Sklar, Matthew Walmer, Pierre Sacré, Catherine A. Schevon, Shraddha Srinivasan, Garrett P. Banks, Mark J. Yates, Guy M. McKhann II, Sameer A. Sheth, Sridevi V. Sarma, Elliot H. Smith

Abstract: The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is thought to be essential for normal adaptation of one's behavior to difficult decisions, errors, and reinforcement. Here we examine single neurons from the human dACC in the context of a statistical model, including a cognitive state that varies with changes in cognitive interference induced by a Stroop-like task. We then include this cognitive state in point process models of single unit activity and subject reaction time. These results suggest that consideration of a latent cognitive state can explain additional variance in neural and behavioral dynamics.