The dependence of characteristics of event-related potentials from the age of elements of subjective experience used in the word categorization task

Author(s): Sams, M., Lavikainen, Y., Reinikainen, K., Naatanen, R.

Journal/Book: Psikhol Zh. 1997; 18: 39 Dimitrova Ul., 113095 Moscow, Russia. Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga. 133.

Abstract: The markedness of alcohol's effects (ethanol, 1 ml/kg) on event-related potentials (ERP) recorded during the task of categorization of Finnish and English words by Finnish subjects was analyzed to study the dependence of the characteristics of ERP appearing during the realization of different actions from the set of elements of experience which were actualized during these actions. Prior to the presentation of 100-words blocks subjects listened to the introductory unfinished phrase. Half of the words in a block could finish the phrase, while the other half - could not. Subjects were instructed to press the button immediately on hearing a word from the first group. After alcohol intake, during the categorization of both English and Finnish words, the amplitude of N100 and slow negative component of ERP decreased as compared to-the control recordings; this decrease was significantly more marked during the categorization of English words. Our previous studies have demonstrated the selective ethanol's influence on those neurons that belonged to ''younger'' elements of experience. Thus it is proposed that differential alcohol's effect revealed in the present work is due to its more marked influence on the neurons basic for the actualization of those elements of experience that were formed at comparatively later stages of individual development - during learning English.

Note: Article Alexandrov YI, Russian Acad Sci, Inst Psychol, Lab Neurophysiol Basis Mind, Moscow 129366, RUSSIA

Keyword(s): subjective experience; individual development; language; alcohol; event-related potentials; electroencephalogram; HUMAN AUDITORY-CORTEX; BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIZATION; EVOKED-POTENTIALS; BRAIN POTENTIALS; LIMBIC CORTEX; UNIT-ACTIVITY; ETHANOL; NEURONS; ALCOHOL; RABBITS

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