A computational model of inhibitory control in frontal cortex and basal ganglia

2011/12/04 by Thomas V. Wiecki, Michael J. Frank, Wiecki, Thomas V. +1 · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · Neuroscience · #FOS: Biological sciences #Memory and Neural Mechanisms #Neural dynamics and brain function #Neurological disorders and treatments #Neurons and Cognition (q-bio.NC) #Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research #q-bio.NC

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1112.0778

3rd submission (now accepted at Psychological Review). Removed switch-DDM and some other data points, restructured some graphics. Added systematic accuracy-RT analysis of speed-accuracy trade-off

openalex publication_date 2011/12/04 · arxiv created 2012/12/03 · arxiv updated 2012/12/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Planning and executing volitional actions in the face of conflicting habitual responses is a critical aspect of human behavior. At the core of the interplay between these two control systems lies an override mechanism that can suppress the habitual action selection process and allow executive control to take over. Here, we construct a neural circuit model informed by behavioral and electrophysiological data collected on various response inhibition paradigms. This model extends a well established model of action selection in the basal ganglia by including a frontal executive control network which integrates information about sensory input and task rules to facilitate well-informed decision making via the oculomotor system. Our simulations of the antisaccade, Simon and saccade-override task ensue in conflict between a prepotent and controlled response which causes the network to pause action selection via projections to the subthalamic nucleus. Our model reproduces key behavioral and electrophysiological patterns and their sensitivity to lesions and pharmacological manipulations. Finally, we show how this network can be extended to include the inferior frontal cortex to simulate key qualitative patterns of global response inhibition demands as required in the stop-signal task.

Citations

• A framework for mesencephalic dopamine systems based on predictive Hebbian learning
• On the ability to inhibit thought and action: A theory of an act of control.
• Effects of noise letters upon the identification of a target letter in a nonsearch task
• Role of the Basal Ganglia in the Control of Purposive Saccadic Eye Movements
• Reactions toward the source of stimulation.
• The Unity and Diversity of Executive Functions and Their Contributions to Complex “Frontal Lobe” Tasks: A Latent Variable Analysis
• The neural basis of human error processing: Reinforcement learning, dopamine, and the error-related negativity.
• Decision making, the P3, and the locus coeruleus--norepinephrine system.

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• Learning Through Time in the Thalamocortical Loops

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