Alpha phase synchronization predicts P1 and N1 latency and amplitude size

Cereb Cortex. 2005 Apr;15(4):371-7. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhh139.

Abstract

The oscillatory phase-resetting model predicts that event-related potential (ERP) components are generated by a superposition of evoked oscillations with different frequencies. We investigate this question in a memory task in which human subjects had to retrieve a verbal label in response to the presentation of a picture. The results show that (i) evoked oscillations in the delta, theta, alpha and beta range undergo a significant phase resetting and (ii) become synchronized in absolute phase during small time windows that (iii) coincide with the latencies of the P1-N1 complex. Our conclusion is that the latencies of ERP components can be predicted at least in part by phase synchronization between frequencies.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alpha Rhythm*
  • Association Learning / physiology
  • Brain / physiology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology
  • Models, Psychological
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology
  • Theta Rhythm