Figure 1.

Experimental task and behavioral results. a, Experimental task. During fMRI, subjects performed a Simon task, which required subjects to make a correct response while suppressing an inappropriate response. On each trial a cue was presented on either the left or right side of the screen. Depending on the color of the cue, participants had to respond with a button press of the index or middle finger of their right hand. When one cue dimension (e.g., color) alternated between trials, while the other cue dimension (e.g., spatial position) was repeated (incompatible trials), there was an increased risk of impulsive inappropriate responses compared with consecutive trials where both cue dimensions change or stay the same (compatible trials). The level of motivation was manipulated by the presence or absence of a financial incentive. Participants could win a monetary reward in 50% of the trials, which were indicated by a coin instead of a circle. b, Mean RTs after sham (left) and real rTMS (right). Error bars indicate SEM. c, Mean accuracy rates after sham (left) and real rTMS (right) for fast responses. Trials were divided into slow and fast responses after a median split. The gray box shows a selective improvement in accuracy after real rTMS for trials with a high level of response conflict (incompatible trials) and a high level of motivation (rewarding context). Error bars indicate SEM.