# How inhibitory control prevents thought intrusions and sensory and motor provocations

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $355,312

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Executive functions underlie our ability to control our behavior according to our goals. One element of
executive function is top-down inhibitory control. Over the last funding periods we have distinguished two kinds
of inhibitory control – reactive and proactive. Reactive inhibitory control can have broad effects and is driven by
stop signals. It is apparently implemented by prefrontal connections to the basal ganglia, which we suppose
blocks thalamic drive to cortex. By contrast, proactive inhibitory control is set up in advance of any response
and is apparently implemented by sensorimotor cortex, also with downstream effects on basal ganglia and
thalamus. Here we leverage our knowledge of these reactive and proactive inhibitory systems to ask how we
keep unwanted thoughts out of mind and what mental strategies can be used to reduce pain. Aim 1 tests
whether prefrontally-driven reactive inhibitory control prevents thought intrusions. We use the so-called
Think/NoThink paradigm in which, on NoThink trials, people have to try to prevent the intrusion of an unwanted
memory. We have shown this relates to increased prefrontal beta band power. We do simultaneous EEG/fMRI
to localize the prefrontal node that best corresponds with the requirement to Not Think, and we then use fMRI-
guided repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to create a ‘virtual lesion’ of that prefrontal node to
test its causal role in preventing intrusions of thought. Aim 2 moves away from reactive inhibitory control to test
how proactive inhibitory control reduces subjective pain. We inculcate a proactive inhibitory state (which
corresponds to increased sensorimotor beta power) and we then test if, during this state, a nociceptive pain
stimulus is rated as less painful subjectively. We then do repetitive TMS to create a ‘virtual lesion’ of M1 (and
circuitry) to test the causal role of sensorimotor beta oscillations in a ‘suppressive’ state pertinent to reducing
pain ratings. Aim 3 tests whether inculcating a proactive suppression state can prevent thought intrusions. We
will do this by embedding the Think/NoThink requirement in task-states characterized by increased beta
oscillations. These states are generated either endogenously by the subject given a cue or by the use of beta
band entrainment with rTMS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10077841
- **Project number:** 5R01DA026452-12
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam Robert Aron
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $355,312
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-06-15 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10077841

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10077841, How inhibitory control prevents thought intrusions and sensory and motor provocations (5R01DA026452-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10077841. Licensed CC0.

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