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Are electrophysiological correlates of response inhibition linked to impulsivity and compulsivity? A machine-learning analysis of a Go/Nogo task
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  • Kerstin Dück,
  • Rebecca Overmeyer,
  • Holger Mohr,
  • Tanja Endrass
Kerstin Dück
Technische Universität Dresden

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Rebecca Overmeyer
Technische Universität Dresden
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Holger Mohr
Technische Universität Dresden
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Tanja Endrass
Technische Universitat Dresden
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Abstract

Heightened impulsivity and compulsivity are often found in association with both dysfunctional everyday behavior as well as with psychopathology. Impulsivity and compulsivity are also linked to alterations in behavioral response inhibition and its electrophysiological correlates. However, they are rarely examined jointly and their effect outside of clinical samples is still disputed. This study assesses the influence and interaction of impulsivity and compulsivity as measured by questionnaires on behavioral performance and event-related potentials (N2, P3a and P3b) in a visual Go/Nogo task. Data from 250 participants from the general population (49% female; age M = 25.16, SD = 5.07; education level: 94% high school or higher; self-reported lifetime diagnosis of any mental disorder: 12%) were collected. We used robust linear regression as well as regression tree analyses, a type of machine learning algorithm, to uncover potential non-linear effects. We did not find any significant relationship between the self-report measures and behavioral or neural inhibition effects in either type of analysis, with the exception of a linear effect of the premeditation scale of the UPPS on behavioral performance. The current sample size was large enough to uncover even small effects. We discuss potential explanations for this current null finding. One possibility is that inhibitory performance was unimpaired in the current sample and that associations between inhibitory performance and self-report measures might only be seen in samples with mental disorders.
06 Dec 2022Submitted to Psychophysiology
06 Dec 2022Submission Checks Completed
06 Dec 2022Assigned to Editor
06 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Dec 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
02 Mar 20231st Revision Received
02 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept