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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Habituation and laterality of orienting processes as reflected by slow negative waves
Ralf DemmelHeinz Zimmersubject
AdultMaleAdolescentCentral nervous systemStimulus (physiology)Functional LateralityOrienting responsemedicineHumansHabituationEvoked potentialHabituation PsychophysiologicElectrodesEvoked PotentialsGeneral NeuroscienceBrainElectroencephalographyGalvanic Skin ResponseElectrophysiologyNeuropsychology and Physiological Psychologymedicine.anatomical_structureLateralityLocus coeruleusLocus CoeruleusPsychologyNeurosciencedescription
The study is concerned with the question of whether the orienting wave (O-wave), a slow potential shift of the event-related brain potential, is a component of the orienting response (OR). As habituation is supposed to be the most important characteristic of the OR, we focussed particularly on any habituating aspect of the O-wave. Results suggest that its bilateral distribution over midfrontal areas might constitute such a link relating the O-wave to orienting activity. Hemispheric asymmetry linearly decreased its right-sided predominance in response to repeated presentations of an initially novel auditory stimulus. A similar, concomitant diminution of the skin conductance response (SCR) occurred. Both, the O-wave and the SCR varied, moreover, with signal value and electrodermal lability which are known to relate to the OR. Therefore we suggest the O-wave comprise features typical of a component of the OR. A hypothesis is put forward according to which the O-wave and its laterality are dependent on the ascending noradrenergic locus coeruleus system.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-01 | Biological Psychology |