Visuo‐spatial processing and the N1 component of the ERP

Abstract

Asymmetries in posterior ERP components, such as the N1, are generally taken to reflect the visual processing of spatial information in absolute (fixation-based) coordinates. Yet, it is also well established that the position of an object can be coded relative to the position of other objects. To examine the ERP correlates of relative spatial coding, two experiments were conducted in which spatially neutral target stimuli were preceded, accompanied, or followed by laterally presented, task-irrelevant accessory stimuli. Targets presented simultaneously with a lateral accessory evoked, despite physical asymmetry, a bilateral, symmetric N1. Targets that followed the accessory evoked, despite physical symmetry, an asymmetric N1, with a maximum contralateral to the accessory N1. Thus, lateralizations in the N1 range already reflect relative spatial coding rather than just the processing of the absolute location of incoming information.

What does successful speech-in-noise perception in aging depend on? Electrophysiological correlates of high and low performance in older adults

“…In line with this interpretation, there is evidence that at least the visual N1 is not a purely sensory component, but depends also on early attentional processes (Hillyard et al, 1973;Wascher and Beste, 2010;Wascher et al, 2009;Schneider et al, 2012;for reviews, Luck et al, 2000;Eimer, 2014). Within a theoretical framework of an early selection model of attention, the increase in N1 amplitude and decrease in N1 latency could reflect a sensory gating mechanism of attention, which facilitates the further processing of this rare stimulus.…”

“…Correlates of early stimulus processing are given by the P1 and N1 deflections. While these components were initially regarded as stimulus-driven and reflecting the automatic processing of sensory input, there is evidence that top-down triggered processes of goaloriented and top-down allocation of attention affect even the early stimulus processing reflected by P1 and N1 (e.g., Schneider et al, 2012;Wascher and Beste, 2010;Wascher et al, 2009;for review, Eimer (2014)). Correlates of subsequent processing are given by the P2, N2, and N400 deflections.…”

Influence of education level on design-induced N170 and P300 components of event related potentials in the human brain

“…When two visual stimuli are presented, one in each visual¯eld, the N170 is bilateral. In the latter case, the N170's asymmetrical skewedness is modulated by attention (Wascher et al, 2009). Additionally, its amplitude is in°uenced by selective attention, and thus it has been used to study a variety of attentional processes (Wascher et al, 2009;Luck et al, 2000).…”

Predicting inter-hemispheric transfer time from the diffusion properties of the corpus callosum in healthy individuals and schizophrenia patients: A combined ERP and DTI study

“…The N1 reflects a later stage of visual processing that is sensitive to object categorization, unlike the P1 (e.g., Bentin et al, 1996). Furthermore, a recent study demonstrated that the hemispheric asymmetry of the N1 can reflect the relative rather than the retinotopic position of objects (Wascher et al, 2009). Thus, the P1 may be a better component with which to estimate IHTT than the N1.…”