P300 and blink instructions

Citation
Cj. Ochoa et J. Polich, P300 and blink instructions, CLIN NEU, 111(1), 2000, pp. 93-98
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
ISSN journal
13882457 → ACNP
Volume
111
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
93 - 98
Database
ISI
SICI code
1388-2457(200001)111:1<93:PABI>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
Objectives: The effects of instructions to refrain from blinking on the P30 0 event-related brain potential (ERP) from auditory and visual stimuli were assessed. Methods: An oddball paradigm was employed in which young adult subjects (n = 20) silently counted the infrequent target stimuli and were given either no instructions or told ''do not blink" in different conditions, with audit ory and visual stimulus tasks employed for all subjects. ERPs were recorded from the midline electrodes, with amplitude and latency of the P300 and ot her components obtained. Results: P300 amplitude for both modalities and target/standard stimulus co nditions was smaller and visual peak latency longer in the "do not blink'' condition. Blink instructions did not directly affect the other components. Conclusions: Instructions to refrain from blinking can decrease P300 amplit ude and can increase peak latency. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. A ll rights reserved.