Distinct Neuron Groups Identified That Are Active After Errors

Researchers may have identified the "oops centre" in the brain. Jeffrey D. Schall of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, report this week [Nature, Vol. 408, No. 6814, 14 Dec 2000, pp. 857–860] that the ‘supplementary eye field’ reacts when an animal (or human) realizes that they have made a mistake.

This part of the brain is known to control eye movements but its precise function is not clear. Working with eye movements in monkeys, Schall’s team now identify distinct groups of neurons in the region that were active after errors, and others that fired during monitoring of successful actions— "yippee cells, if you will," says Schall. Both groups of cells seem to be part of the brain’s critical system of self-regulation.

CONTACT:

Jeffrey D. Schall
tel +1 615 343 7538
fax +1 615 343 8449
e-mail jeffrey.d.schall@vanderbilt.edu

(C) Nature press release.

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza