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Cerebral Evoked Potential Correlates in Forced-paced Tasks

Abstract

CEREBRAL evoked potentials can be monitored by averaging scalp records in subjects performing psychological tasks. The waveform is affected not only by the physical features of the sensory stimulus but also by cognitive and motivational parameters1–7. These can be manipulated through verbal instructions given to the subject and several studies have shown that a slow positive component of about 300 ms peak latency (P300) can be elicited by stimuli to which perceptual significance is attached2,5–8. We have examined the evoked potential correlates of sensory overload in forced-paced auditory tasks and find that the cerebral “decision” potential can reveal intermittency in the perceptual channel.

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DEBECKER, J., DESMEDT, J. Cerebral Evoked Potential Correlates in Forced-paced Tasks. Nature New Biology 234, 118–120 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio234118a0

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