EEG frequency analysis of responses to the own-name stimulus

Abstract

Objective: The neuronal response to hearing a subject's own (SON) compared with other names has been examined in healthy subjects as well as in patients with disorders of consciousness. So far, on electroencephalographic data, only event-related potentials (ERPs) were considered. In this study, we examined the frequency properties of SON.

Methods: Data of 17 healthy subjects were processed for equiprobable stimuli of SON, other- and own-name backwards by calculating ERPs, evoked and induced activity for a period of 2000 ms from stimulus onset in the delta, theta, lower and upper alpha bands and averaging for four consequent temporal segments of 500 ms each.

Results: For SON, the N1 component's amplitude was larger, while induced activity in the alpha band decreased in the second temporal segment (of 500-1000 ms). No differences between other- and own-name backwards were found.

Conclusions: The late reactivity may indicate responses to a stimulus after having recognised it. Alpha is known to play a role in attention and alertness. The results may reflect the fact that the SON stimulus enhances alertness.

Significance: The findings correlate previous work about alertness and alpha activity with those about attention capturing of the SON stimulus. We suggest using frequency analysis in research on disorders of consciousness.