The uncertainty of errors: Intolerance of uncertainty is associated with error-related brain activity

• Examined intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and error-related brain activity (ERN).
• Subscales of IU were associated with the ERN in opposite directions.
• Prospective IU was associated with a larger ERN and slower reaction time.
• Inhibitory IU was associated with a smaller ERN and faster reaction time.
• Unpredictability of errors and sensitivity to uncertainty may contribute to the ERN.

Errors are unpredictable events that have the potential to cause harm. The error-related negativity (ERN) is the electrophysiological index of errors and has been posited to reflect sensitivity to threat. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is the tendency to perceive uncertain events as threatening. In the present study, 61 participants completed a self-report measure of IU and a flanker task designed to elicit the ERN. Results indicated that IU subscales were associated with the ERN in opposite directions. Cognitive distress in the face of uncertainty (Prospective IU) was associated with a larger ERN and slower reaction time. Inhibition in response to uncertainty (Inhibitory IU) was associated with a smaller ERN and faster reaction time. This study suggests that sensitivity to the uncertainty of errors contributes to the magnitude of the ERN. Furthermore, these findings highlight the importance of considering the heterogeneity of anxiety phenotypes in relation to measures of threat sensitivity.

Scatterplots and partial correlation coefficient topographical maps depicting the association between the ERN and Prospective IU (panel 3A) and Inhibitory IU (panel 3B) residuals. The topographical maps depict that the correlation between IU and the ERN was strongest where the ERN was maximal (i.e., frontocentral electrodes). The ERN for the scatterplots was pooled at Fz, FCz, FC1, FC2, and Cz, where it was maximal. ERN = error-related negativity; IU = intolerance of uncertainty.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide