Influence of Inhibition Tasks on Brain Activities in Cognitive Function Assessed Using a Stop Signal Task

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of inhibition function, by comparing the brain source localization and brain functional connectivity of healthy subjects using EEG analysis. [Participants and Methods] Twenty healthy male students were recruited. The inhibition tasks were three visual stimulus oddball tasks. EEG results were compared employing analyses of ERP components using the LORETA method. [Results] Significantly high neural activity was observed in the left precuneus and left orbitofrontal cortex. Significantly strong neuro-functional connectivity was found in the three frontal regions of the left frontal pole, left premotor cortex and left inferior parietal lobe. [Conclusion] It was confirmed that the ERP component reflects cognitive function. The results also suggest that cognitive function is related to neural activity in the left precuneus and the left orbitofrontal cortex, and that it is performed based on judgment and predictive activities not only in the frontal lobe but also in the parietal lobe.