ERP components related to stimulus selection processes

Abstract

Event-related potential (ERP) components associated with target stimulus selection in a double discrimination visual task were studied. The experimental paradigm consisted in the presentation of low intensity stimuli that varied according to two physical features: geometrical form (squares and circles) and location (a spot in different positions inside the stimulus). Subjects performed 3 tasks on these stimuli: a control task in which they looked passively at the stimuli, and 2 discrimination tasks, in which they had to respond to a certain stimulus (a specific conjunction of form and spot location). The early components (P1 and N1) obtained in the control and discrimination tasks were associated with sensory analysis of simple stimulus features. Relevance of a particular feature modified the latency and/or the area of these components. The longer-latency components (N2 and P3) were elicited only in the discrimination tasks. N2 was associated with target stimulus selection because its area was significantly larger for target stimuli and because its “offset” latency correlated with choice reaction time. Results are discussed and contrasted with various models of target selection.