Event-Related Potentials of the Human Brain During the Comparison of Visual Stimuli

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to study the features of the brain activity when comparing visual stimuli under conditions of delayed motor response. Event-related potentials (ERP) were studied in 84 healthy subjects in a three-stimulus test, the first two stimuli were a comparison pair, and the third stimulus triggered a motor response. After presentation of the second stimulus ERP were recorded: a complex of two waves with occipital (Oz, most pronounced in the interval 100–150 ms) and posterior temporal localization (P7, P8, 190–270 ms); negative oscillation in the frontal regions (Fz, 240–300 ms) and positive oscillation in the parietal regions (Pz, 270–450 ms). Brain responses differ in amplitude in case of match and discrepancy of visual stimuli. The article discusses the physiological meaning of these waves and their differences under two conditions.