Steady-state visual evoked potentials can be explained by temporal superposition of transient event-related responses

Valdes-Sosa, P.A., Capilla, A., Pazo-Alvarez, P., Darriba, A., Campo, P. and Gross, J. (2011) Steady-state visual evoked potentials can be explained by temporal superposition of transient event-related responses. PLoS ONE, 6(1), e14543. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014543)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014543

Abstract

<p><b>Background:</b> One common criterion for classifying electrophysiological brain responses is based on the distinction between transient (i.e. event-related potentials, ERPs) and steady-state responses (SSRs). The generation of SSRs is usually attributed to the entrainment of a neural rhythm driven by the stimulus train. However, a more parsimonious account suggests that SSRs might result from the linear addition of the transient responses elicited by each stimulus. This study aimed to investigate this possibility.</p> <p><b>Methodology/Principal Findings::</b> We recorded brain potentials elicited by a checkerboard stimulus reversing at different rates. We modeled SSRs by sequentially shifting and linearly adding rate-specific ERPs. Our results show a strong resemblance between recorded and synthetic SSRs, supporting the superposition hypothesis. Furthermore, we did not find evidence of entrainment of a neural oscillation at the stimulation frequency.</p> <p><b>Conclusions/Significance:</b> This study provides evidence that visual SSRs can be explained as a superposition of transient ERPs. These findings have critical implications in our current understanding of brain oscillations. Contrary to the idea that neural networks can be tuned to a wide range of frequencies, our findings rather suggest that the oscillatory response of a given neural network is constrained within its natural frequency range.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gross, Professor Joachim
Authors: Valdes-Sosa, P.A., Capilla, A., Pazo-Alvarez, P., Darriba, A., Campo, P., and Gross, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:PLoS ONE
Publisher:Public LIbrary of Science
ISSN:1932-6203
ISSN (Online):1932-6203
Published Online:18 January 2011
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2011 The Authors
First Published:First published in PLoS ONE 6(1):e14543
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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