Chapter 67 Neural network for novelty processing

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews recent findings from multidimensional approach regarding neural origins of the P3a. Scalp recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) have contributed to the understanding of the neural basis of novelty processing. The orienting response generates a P300 ERP (P3a or novelty P3), which has a frontocentral topographical distribution and peaks approximately 250-350 ms after novel stimulus onset. Converging ERP evidence from studies in patients with local brain lesion, intracranial recordings, and source modeling, which are also complemented by recent neuroimaging studies, suggests that novelty processing is supported by a distributed cortical network, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, temporal-parietal association cortex, and medial temporal structures. One study suggests that the temporal-parietal cortex may detect novel events while the prefrontal-hippocampal network may play a role in event encoding. Another study suggests a supervisory role of the prefrontal cortex over the network. Neurochemical basis underlying this network is also largely unknown and its clinical applications are just emerging and patients associated with attention or memory problems might gain a significant benefit from future research on neuropharmachological basis of novelty processing.