Activation and Behavior: II. Visually Evoked Cortical Potentials in Man as Indicants of Activation Level

Abstract

The effects of variations in behavioral arousal and neural activation or excitation on averaged evoked occipital-cortical potentials to a repetitive flashing light stimulus were studied, using the Mnemotron computer of average transients (CAT). Degree of behavioral arousal and neural activation was manipulated by having Ss perform physical and “mental” tasks of varying degrees of difficulty. Records obtained under these conditions were compared with those obtained during periods of physical and mental quiescence wherein activation level was assumed to be at a relatively low level. The evoked potential patterns were found to increase in amplitude and/or to change in wave form with increases in level of activation or arousal. A number of techniques for quantifying differences in evoked cortical potential patterns were described. It was concluded that the evoked potential measure may be added to the repertory of physiological measures (EEG, EMG, heart rate, skin conductance, etc.) currently considered to constitute reliable and valid indices of activation level.

Heritability of anterior and posterior visual N1

“…In cognitive psychophysiology, the N1 is thought to reflect the allocation of processing capacity to sensory input (the orienting response), or the active filtering of information (Coles et al, 1990;Altenmüller and Gerloff, 1999). As early as 1964, Eason et al (1964) reported that attended stimuli evoke larger, more negative N1s than unattended stimuli, a finding replicated many times in selective attention tasks. In the auditory domain the N1 peaks at the vertex (Cz), whereas in the visual domain two main negative peaks can be found: an early anterior N1, and a somewhat later posterior N1 (Vogel and Luck, 2000).…”

Average evoked response and muscle tension

“…In contrast to Eason, Aiken, White, and Lichtenstein (1964), Andreassi, Mayzner, Beyda, and Davidovics (1970), and Dinges and Klingaman (1972), we were unable to demonstrate a significant increase in AER amplitude with increased muscle tension. This was true even when the "relax" trial with the lowest mean amplitude (second "relax," Day 3) was selected for comparison with the increased muscle tension and mental arithmetic conditions.…”

“…Lacey (1967), in revie\Ving activation theory, suggests that electroencephalographic, autonomic, motor, and other behavioral systems are imperfectly coupled, complexly interacting systems. Eason, Aiken, White, and Lichtenstein (1964) found an increase in amplitude of visual evoked response with increased muscular work, but they studied only two individuals utilizing two different experimental procedures. Andreassi, Mayzner, Beyda, and Davidovics (1970) also claimed to have demonstrated an increase in AER amplitude with heightened muscle tension.…”

Effects of induced muscle tension upon the visual evoked potential and motor potential

“…In what may be the only previous study of this nature, Eason, Aiken, White, & Lichtenstein (1964) measured YEP to flashes of light while two Ss maintained a 25-lb force on a hand grip. The muscular work increased the amplitude of YEPs to light flashes.…”

“…The YEPs increased in amplitude following exercise. The present experiment was designed to expand that of Eason et al (1964) by measuring motor potentials (MPs) in addition to YEPs during an IMT task, making use of several Ss in each experimental condition and by specifying evoked potential amplitude differences, if any, in terms of microvolts of activity. SUBJECTS The Ss were four male graduate students ranging from 22 to 28 years of age.…”