ERP Peaks Review 1 LINKING BRAINWAVES TO THE BRAIN: AN ERP PRIMER Alexandra P. Fonaryova Key, Guy O. Dove, and Mandy J. Maguire Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky Short title: ERPs Peak Review. Key Words: ERP, peak, latency, brain activity source, electrophysiology. Please address all correspondence to: Alexandra P. Fonaryova Key, Ph.D. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville Louisville, KY 40292-0001.
[email protected] ERP Peaks Review 2 Linking Brainwaves To The Brain: An ERP Primer Alexandra Fonaryova Key, Guy O. Dove, and Mandy J. Maguire Abstract This paper reviews literature on the characteristics and possible interpretations of the event- related potential (ERP) peaks commonly identified in research. The description of each peak includes typical latencies, cortical distributions, and possible brain sources of observed activity as well as the evoking paradigms and underlying psychological processes. The review is intended to serve as a tutorial for general readers interested in neuropsychological research and a references source for researchers using ERP techniques. ERP Peaks Review 3 Linking Brainwaves To The Brain: An ERP Primer Alexandra P. Fonaryova Key, Guy O. Dove, and Mandy J. Maguire Over the latter portion of the past century recordings of brain electrical activity such as the continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) and the stimulus-relevant event-related potentials (ERPs) became frequent tools of choice for investigating the brain’s role in the cognitive processing in different populations. These electrophysiological recording techniques are generally non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, and do not require participants to provide a motor or verbal response.