Stimulus Repetition Effects on Picture Recognition and

Event Related Potentials

Abstract

In this study, we used state-of-the-art source estimation methods and event related potentials (ERP) to investigate the timing and amplitude of electrophysiological activity in four brain regions of interest (ROI) during a picture recognition memory task. When stimuli are repeated, subjects recognize them faster (as indexed by speeded reaction time). In the current experiment, subjects viewed pictures of animals in a study/test paradigm while continuous EEG was recorded. Pictures were repeated once, three times, or ten times in study. We believe that the same experimental factors that affect recognition will also affect the brain regions involved in recognition processes which will be revealed by a greater signal strength and decreased signal latency at regions implicated in recognition. This hypothesis was verified; source estimation analysis reveals that repetition of visual stimuli increases amplitude signal and amplitude latency from particular regions of interest within the brain.