Decision making, the P3, and the locus coeruleus--norepinephrine system.

Abstract

Psychologists and neuroscientists have had a long-standing interest in the P3, a prominent component of the event-related brain potential. This review aims to integrate knowledge regarding the neural basis of the P3 and to elucidate its functional role in information processing. The authors review evidence suggesting that the P3 reflects phasic activity of the neuromodulatory locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system. They discuss the P3 literature in the light of empirical findings and a recent theory regarding the information-processing function of the LC-NE phasic response. The theoretical framework emerging from this research synthesis suggests that the P3 reflects the response of the LC-NE system to the outcome of internal decision-making processes and the consequent effects of noradrenergic potentiation of information processing.

The P3 Event-Related Potential is a Biomarker for the Efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients with Epilepsy

“…The hypothesis that the LC-NE system contributes to P3 generation during a target detection task is consistent with the allocation of attentional resources and arousal effects in humans [13,[17][18][19]. Monkey studies with the oddball paradigm have shown that the conditions for generating the P3 are highly similar to those for the LC phasic response: both are preferentially elicited by attended, task-relevant, arousing, and salient stimuli that are important for goal-directed behavior [15,20]. Furthermore, the timing and topographic distribution of intracranial and scalp-recorded P3 activity are consistent with the anatomical and physiological activation of temporoparietal areas by the LC-NE system [13,15].…”

“…Converging evidence from animal, genetic, and pharmacological studies suggests that the P3 component of the scalprecorded ERP reflects the phasic activity of the neuromodulatory LC-NE system [15,16]. The hypothesis that the LC-NE system contributes to P3 generation during a target detection task is consistent with the allocation of attentional resources and arousal effects in humans [13,[17][18][19].…”

“…Monkey studies with the oddball paradigm have shown that the conditions for generating the P3 are highly similar to those for the LC phasic response: both are preferentially elicited by attended, task-relevant, arousing, and salient stimuli that are important for goal-directed behavior [15,20]. Furthermore, the timing and topographic distribution of intracranial and scalp-recorded P3 activity are consistent with the anatomical and physiological activation of temporoparietal areas by the LC-NE system [13,15]. Finally, lesions of the LC cell bodies reduce the auditory P3 amplitude in monkeys, indicating that the LC nucleus and its ascending fibers are important in the generation and modulation of the P3 [21].…”

Age-related characteristics of risky decision-making and progressive expectation formation

“…In addition, both the FRN and the reward positivity ERP components typically constitute a 'complex' with the following P3 component peaking at approximately between 300 and 500 ms [27][28][29]. The P3 is thought to reflect a more thorough evaluative process of the outcome events [30][31][32], including the local and global probabilistic properties, motivational significance of the stimuli, and also the amount of expended/invested attention [33].…”

“…In addition, both the FRN and the reward positivity ERP components typically constitute a 'complex' with the following P3 component peaking at approximately between 300 and 500 ms [27][28][29]. The P3 is thought to reflect a more thorough evaluative process of the outcome events [30][31][32], including the local and global probabilistic properties, motivational significance of the stimuli, and also the amount of expended/invested attention [33].Data collected in various experimental conditions in which inferences of reinforcement learning were addressed via feedback-related evaluation processes show an age-dependent decrease regarding the amplitudes of feedback-related ERP components [34][35][36]. Accordingly, imaging approaches suggest that the elderly have difficulties in representing outcome values during predictive processing due to decreased frontostriatal connectivity with age [5,20].…”