Distribution of slow brain potentials related to motor preparation and stimulus anticipation in a time estimation task

Abstract

Subjects had to press a button at regular intervals of 20 sec. Two seconds after each button press a stimulus was presented indicating the length of the past interval. EEG was analysed from 2500 msec preceding the button press until the presentation of the stimulus. Preceding the button press a readiness potential (RP) was recorded with amplitudes that were larger over the hemisphere contralateral to the movement side. Preceding the stimulus negative waves were recorded which were larger over the right hemisphere, irrespective of the movement side. In a warned reaction time experiment, the CNV late wave represents both motor preparation and stimulus anticipation. In the present study motor preparation and stimulus anticipation are no longer confounded factors. Thus, it is shown that stimulus anticipation is indeed reflected by negative activity, as is motor preparation. The potential distribution of the RP, however, is different from the stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN), a pointing to a different electrophysiological source. The potential distribution of the SPN has been investigated and a right hemisphere preponderance of the SPN has been found.