Cortical and subcortical visual evoked potential correlates of reaction time in monkeys

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-1976

Journal

Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology

Volume

90

Issue

1

DOI

10.1037/h0077256

Keywords

cortical &; RT &; subcortical visual evoked potentials during brightness discrimination, monkeys

Abstract

Investigated the relationships between reaction time (RT) and evoked potentials in 3 monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) during the performance of a simultaneous brightness discrimination task. Evoked potentials from the lateral geniculate, medial and inferior pulvinar, midbrain reticular formation, hippocampus, and striate and prestriate cortex were recorded concurrently with RT in response to the discriminative stimuli. An early component of the geniculate response and a late positive wave in striate cortex were found to be related systematically to RT. These components were largest for short RTs and diminished progressively in amplitude as RT lengthened. The statistical significance of these relationships is supported by a detailed analysis of single trials. The increases in amplitude of evoked potentials associated with short RTs are attributed to increased arousal level and are discussed in terms of reticular formation modulation of central excitability levels. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1976 American Psychological Association.

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