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Janko, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Janko, D..

2 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2026

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation of the aMCC transiently improves performance, modulates N2 and conflict monitoring dynamics

Conflict monitoring and error processing are fundamental mechanisms underlying cognitive control and adaptive behavior and have been consistently associated with increased activity in the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC). Here, we used transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), an emerging technique that enables non-invasive, deep, and focal neuromodulation, and EEG to investigate the causal role of the aMCC in cognitive control. Our findings demonstrate that TUS of aMCC improved performance, modulated the relationship between conflict monitoring and the stimulus-locked N2, and strengthened the suppression of distracting flankers as revealed by drift-diffusion model analyses. This suggests that TUS of aMCC enhances proactive control. Interestingly, TUS did not affect the error-related negativity as a measure of error monitoring. Finally, the TUS effects were observed during early compared with later task blocks corroborating previous findings which suggested that TUS effects are temporally dynamic and characterized by a limited post-stimulation window. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIaMCC-TUS and PCC-TUS both increase behavioral accuracy during the early stages of task performance. C_LIO_LIaMCC-TUS transiently reduces the effect of incongruence on the stimulus-locked N2 suggesting reduced response conflict. C_LIO_LIExploratory DDM analyses suggest that aMCC-TUS improves suppression of conflict- inducing distractors. C_LIO_LIaMCC thus selectively enhances proactive control, thereby reducing response conflict. C_LIO_LITUS effects show a transient temporal profile, peaking 17-27 minutes after stimulation and declining after [~]37 minutes. C_LI

neuroscience↗
bioRxiv2026

Sleep deprivation disrupts error awareness and subsequent behavioural regulation

Sleep deprivation is known to impair cognitive performance, yet its effects on error awareness and subsequent behavioral adjustments remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigated how sleep loss affects the use of subjective performance evaluation to guide post-error adaptations. Thirty healthy adults completed a novel, gamified error awareness multi-rule Simon task once while well rested and once after 24 h of total sleep deprivation. On each trial, participants reported both their task response and subjective evaluation of response accuracy. This design allowed us to dissociate objective performance from subjective error awareness and to examine their influence on subsequent behavior over time. Sleep deprivation slowed responses, reduced accuracy, increased missed responses, and decreased the proportion of consciously detected errors. These effects increased with time on task and were accompanied by greater instability in sustained attention. Critically, post-error adjustments were driven by subjective error awareness rather than factual error commission. Reaction times slowed most strongly after subjectively perceived errors, including instances in which the preceding response had been objectively correct. Accuracy showed post-error decreases that were most pronounced following unaware errors. Sleep deprivation further altered these awareness-dependent control processes, particularly in later task phases. Together, these findings indicate that sleep deprivation disrupts both error awareness and the effective use of awareness signals for behavioral regulation. Statement of significanceOne night of total sleep deprivation reduces behavioral error awareness and disrupts post-error adjustments in a time-dependent manner. Crucially, our findings show that adaptive cognitive control is strongly shaped by subjective error awareness--even when that awareness is inaccurate. By identifying conscious performance evaluation as a key mechanism linking sustained attention, sleep loss, and behavioral regulation, this work highlights the importance of considering subjective awareness when studying adaptive control under fatigue.

neuroscience↗