Effects of cue information on response production and inhibition measured by event-related potentials
Géczy, I.; Czigler, I.; Balázs, L.
Acta Physiologica Hungarica 86(1): 37-44
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0231-424X PMID: 10755168 Document Number: 507681
The aim of this study was to investigate how information carried by a cue stimulus modulate event-related potentials (ERPs) to a subsequent target stimulus which either calls for an overt response (Go stimulus) or no response (Nogo stimulus). One of the cues predicted the likely appearance of the Go stimulus (Go cue) whereas the other cue predicted the likely appearance of the Nogo stimulus (Nogo cue). Our results showed that unpredicted Nogo stimuli elicited enlarged N200 component. This finding supports the notion that Nogo N200 reflects response inhibition processes, i.e., the amplitude of the N200 is a function of the difficulty of response inhibition. In other words, increased N200 to Nogo stimuli following Go cues might be related to increased efforts in activating the response inhibition system thereby interrupting preparations to respond.