Selective influence of dopamine on electrocortical signatures of error monitoring: a combined EEG and immersive virtual reality study in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

The saliency of detecting errors in one's own and other's actions is likely linked to the discrepancy between intended or expected and produced or observed output. Salient events seem related to dopamine, the balance of which is profoundly altered in Parkinson's disease (PD). EEG studies in healthy participants indicate that the occurrence of errors in observed actions triggers a variety of electrocortical indices (like mid-frontal theta activity and the Error Positivity, oPe), that seem to map different aspects of error detection and performance monitoring. Whether these indices are differently modulated by dopamine in the same individual has never been investigated. To explore this issue, we recorded EEG markers of error detection by asking healthy controls (HCs) and PD patients to observe ecological reach-to-grasp a glass actions performed by a virtual arm seen in first person perspective. PD patients were tested under their dopaminergic medication ('on-condition'), and after dopaminergic withdrawal ('off-condition'). HCs showed a clear oPe and an increase of theta power during the observation of erroneous vs. correct actions. In PD patients, oPe responses were always preserved. Crucially, however, an error-related increase of theta power was found in 'on' but not in 'off' state PD patients. Thus, different EEG error signatures may index the activity of independent systems and error-related theta power is selectively modulated by dopamine depletion. Our findings may pave the way to the discovery of dopamine-related biomarkers of higher-order motor cognition dysfunctions that may have crucial theoretical and applied implications.

Beyond passive observation: feedback anticipation and observation activate the mirror system in virtual finger movement control via P300-BCI

“…They are similar to Ne and Pe in terms of their distribution and location, but have smaller amplitudes and a longer latency. Specifically, oNe is registered between 50 and 350 ms, and oPe latency is closer to 600 ms after the observed motor error (Pezzetta et al, 2023).…”

“…Pe amplitude reflects cognitive processes associated with potential error consequences and post-error adjustments of behavior (Danielmeier and Ullsperger, 2011). Pe generators are associated with the prefrontal cortex, ACC, and insular cortex (Pezzetta et al, 2023).…”

EEG Evaluation in a Neuropsychological Intervention Program Based on Virtual Reality in Adults with Parkinson’s Disease

“…In addition, the use of VR technology has positively impacted the memory, the daily activities, the language, the attention, the movement, and the equilibrium of the PD patients [ 14 ]. To monitor the effect of these strategies, the evaluation of electroencephalography (EEG) signals has been implemented [ 14 , 15 ].…”

“…A large portion of the studies performed so far with VR and EEG signals include the comparison between health and cognitive impairment-diagnosed individuals. The EEG evaluations help to detect errors in neuronal activity: for example, in the mid-frontal theta activity [ 15 ]. The development of exercises such as lifting limbs or gripping and trawling movements may have repercussions on the theta and beta bands’ power, where an increase in the potential indicates a higher activity in that specific brain region [ 15 ].…”

“…The EEG evaluations help to detect errors in neuronal activity: for example, in the mid-frontal theta activity [ 15 ]. The development of exercises such as lifting limbs or gripping and trawling movements may have repercussions on the theta and beta bands’ power, where an increase in the potential indicates a higher activity in that specific brain region [ 15 ]. The use of games and VR have been shown to be 100% satisfactory to the participants of the studies [ 16 , 17 ], which may encourage adhesion to the treatments.…”