'Without A Key': A Classroom Case Study.

This case study uses a narrative focused on locked-in syndrome to engage upper-level undergraduate students with functional neuroanatomy, clinical neuroscience, and brain computer interface technology. Students 'diagnose' the etiology of a composite patient's symptoms using behavioral, neurological, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological test results. Students work both in small groups and as a class to develop analytical and communication skills by exploring the underpinnings, symptoms, and outcomes of locked-in syndrome and how behavioral and brain computer interface techniques could be used to improve quality of life in patients. A complete, detailed description of classroom implementation and the case narratives are available from the corresponding author or from cases.at.june@gmail.com.

Establishing Immediate Reliability of Sonographic Measurements of the Transversus Abdominis in Asymptomatic Adults Performing Upright Loaded Functional Tasks in a Clinical Context Without Delayed Recorded Measurement.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the reliability of sonographic measurements of the transversus abdominis of adults without low back pain during upright loaded functional tasks in real time, without relying on delayed recorded images. METHODS: A single-group repeated-measures reliability study was conducted on 12 healthy participants without low back pain. Six of these adults reported a prior history of abdominal drawing-in maneuver training without sonographic measurement. The participants performed 3 trials of neutral standing, a loaded forward reach, and a loaded box lift under rest and with abdominal drawing-in maneuver instructions; task order was randomized. Transversus abdominis thickness measurements were obtained by an experienced rater using B-mode sonography in real-time via electronic calipers twice on the same static image during all trials by a rater. The rater was masked to group assignment and on-screen measurement output and required to respond to trivia questions between repeated measurements. RESULTS: The participants included 6 male and 6 female adults with a mean age ± SD of 26.3 ± 3.7 years. Intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficients (2,3) were high and precise for the rater's first and second measurements for all tasks and instruction conditions for mean transversus abdominis thickness and percent change in thickness measurements (eg, ranges were 0.968-0.997 for intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.01-0.21 mm for standard errors of the measurement, and 0.01-0.58 mm for minimal detectable changes). Calipers cleared by the rater or a research assistant produced similar findings of excellent reliability and precision. CONCLUSIONS: High intra-rater reliability and precision of transversus abdominis thickness measurements were obtained by a physical therapist in real time from asymptomatic adults performing upright loaded functional tasks under rest and with abdominal drawing-in maneuver instructions.

Event-related potential correlates of processing alcohol-related pictures in young adult binge drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol-dependent individuals exhibit dissociable event-related potential (ERP) responses to alcohol-related cues. Fewer studies have examined if similar effects can be found in non-dependent young adults who binge drink. OBJECTIVES: To delineate the neurocognitive correlates of inhibiting behavioral responses to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage cues in social drinkers with differing numbers of binge episodes and instances of intoxication. METHODS: ERP data were acquired while 50 participants performed a Go/No-go paradigm consisting of shapes and pictures of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Behavioral and self-report data were also collected. RESULTS: We grouped participants into those with: 0 binge episodes, 1 ≤ 5 binge episodes, and ≥ 8 episodes. Across participants, alcohol images elicited reduced N200 components and a more positive late slow-wave than non-alcoholic images. While the group with the higher number of binge episodes exhibited altered N100 amplitudes and both groups of binge drinkers exhibited minor differences in P300 topography, these effects were not specifically related to processing alcohol images. However, participants with greater instances of intoxication exhibited an enhanced N200 to alcoholic stimuli compared to individuals with fewer instances of intoxication. This effect was correlated with subjective ratings of alcoholic beverage images. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that binge drinking, particularly more severe binge drinking, is associated with functional modifications of cortical systems related to attentional control. Further, the data suggest that young adult social drinkers with riskier patterns of alcohol use (greater instances of intoxication) require the allocation of increased cortical resources to successfully inhibit responses to alcohol-related cues.

Snack Cake 'Dissection': A Flipped Classroom Exercise to Engage Undergraduates With Basic Neuroanatomy.

This report describes a brief classroom activity for introducing basic neuroanatomical terminology and concepts to undergraduates in a survey-level course. Prior to completing the activity, students watched a short online lecture discussing the relevant material. During class, students worked in groups to 'dissect' snack cakes using the information they learned in the video and then reported and shared their 'results' using anatomical terminology. Quantitative feedback suggests that students found that the exercise was useful practice, that it helped increase their confidence in their ability to learn neuroanatomy, and that it helped increase their interest in the material generally. Data from an online anatomy quiz further supports the exercise's efficacy. Overall, the data suggest that this exercise may be a worthwhile addition to courses that introduce neuroanatomy to undergraduates.

Neurocognitive, psychological and behavioral correlates of binge drinking and use of alcohol with caffeinated beverages in college-aged adults.

BACKGROUND: We examined event-related potential (ERP), behavioral and psychological correlates of binge drinking and the use of alcohol mixed with caffeinated beverages (AmCBs) in college-aged (18-26 years) adults. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to delineate the neurocognitive correlates of different patterns of risky alcohol use in this population. METHODS: We collected ERP data while an initial sample of 60 participants completed visual oddball and go/no-go tasks. We also collected self-report data measuring levels of sensation seeking, impulsivity, and drinking-induced disinhibition. In our primary analyses between binge drinker (N = 17) and comparison participants (N = 29), we used analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to control for monthly marijuana usage and excluded participants who reported using other illicit drugs. As separate, exploratory analyses, we compared participants who reported using AmCBs (n = 14) and those who did not (n = 46), co-varying for monthly marijuana and recreational drug use. RESULTS: We found that binge drinkers and AmCB users reported significantly higher levels of sensation seeking and drinking-induced disinhibition. In addition, we found that binge drinkers exhibited greater P3a/b amplitudes in the oddball task. In contrast, AmCB users exhibited significantly attenuated P3a amplitudes to distracter stimuli in the oddball task. However, we found no statistically significant differences in the amplitudes of P2(00) or N2(00) components between binge drinkers and comparison participants or between AmCB users and nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data suggest that binge drinking and AmCB use are associated with P3 alterations, but the specific effects may differ for individuals with different patterns of risky alcohol use.

Neurocognitive correlates of processing food-related stimuli in a Go/No-go paradigm.

We examined the neurocognitive correlates of processing food-related stimuli in healthy young adults. Event-related potential (ERP) data were collected while 48 participants completed a computerized Go/No-go task consisting of food and nonfood images. Separately, we assessed participants' self-reported levels of external, restrained, and emotional eating behaviors as well as trait impulsivity, behavioral activation/inhibition, and performance on the Stroop Color-Word Test. We found that across participants, food images elicited significantly enhanced P3(00) and slow-wave ERP components. The difference in slow-wave components elicited by food and nonfood images was correlated with Stroop interference scores. Food images also elicited significantly enhanced N2(00) components, but only in female participants. The difference between N2 components elicited by food and nonfood images was related to body mass index and scores of external eating in females. Overall, these data suggest that processing food-related stimuli recruits distinct patterns of cortical activity, that the magnitude of these effects is related to behavioral and cognitive variables, and that the neurocognitive correlates of processing food-cues may be at least partly dissociable between males and females.

Da vinci coding? Using renaissance artists' depictions of the brain to engage student interest in neuroanatomy.

This report describes a pair of brief, interactive classroom exercises utilizing Renaissance artists' depictions of the brain to help increase student interest in learning basic neuroanatomy. Undergraduate students provided anonymous quantitative evaluations of both exercises. The feedback data suggest that students found both exercises engaging. The data also suggest that the first exercise increased student interest in learning more about neuroanatomy in general, while the second provided useful practice in identifying major neuroanatomical structures. Overall, the data suggest that these exercises may be a useful addition to courses that introduce or review neuroanatomical concepts.

Modulation of the cortical processing of novel and target stimuli by drugs affecting glutamate and GABA neurotransmission.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we examined the effects of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine (an NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist) and thiopental (a GABA-A receptor agonist) on the event-related potential (ERP) correlates of deviant stimulus processing in 24 healthy adults. Participants completed three separate pharmacological challenge sessions (ketamine, thiopental, saline) in a counterbalanced order. EEG data were recorded both before and during each challenge while participants performed a visual 'oddball' task consisting of infrequent 'target' and 'novel' stimuli intermixed with frequent 'standard' stimuli. We examined drug effects on the amplitude and latency of the P300 (P3) component of the ERP elicited by target (P3b) and novel stimuli (P3a), as well as the N200 (N2) component elicited by both target and novel stimuli, and the N100 (N1) elicited by standard stimuli. Relative to placebo, both drugs reduced the amplitude of parietal P3b. While both drugs reduced parietal P3a and Novelty N2, ketamine also shortened P3a latency, reduced Novelty N2 amplitude more than thiopental, and increased frontal P3a amplitude relative to placebo. Overall, the data suggest that both the GABA-A and NMDA receptor systems modulate P3b and P3a. NMDA antagonism appears to lead to more varied effects on the neural correlates of novelty processing.

The association of nutritional status and gender with cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle in establishing normative data.

Despite recognized evidence for the importance of the multifidus muscle in stabilizing the lumbar spine, identifying subjects at risk for injury and subsequent loss of intrinsic spinal stabilization remains difficult. Previous research has failed to associate multifidus muscle size and height, weight, or body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this study was to begin to establish normative data for the multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) at the L5 level and to identify factors associated with size. Twenty-five participants (17 female), with a mean age of 32.5 (SD 11.6) years without history of LBP were considered for inclusion. Participants' height and weight were recorded and BMI calculated. Ultrasound imaging was used to obtain a CSA in cm(2) of the subjects' multifidus muscles at the L5 level bilaterally; testing was done by two trained testers. Prior to testing, intra- and inter-tester reliability were determined. Percent body fat was determined using a three-site skinfold caliper measurement, also using two trained testers. Mean BMI was 24.18 and mean body fat (%) was 22.88 for all participants. As expected, age and BMI were moderately correlated. Left and right multifidus muscle CSA were highly correlated (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). The mixed model ANOVA indicated a significant main effect for gender as males exhibited larger CSA than females. Participants without history of low back pain present with symmetrical multifidus muscle CSA at the L5 level. Clear gender differences in CSA show that males tend to have larger multifidus muscles at the L5 level, indicating a need to establish gender-specific norms for clinicians examining the L5 multifidus muscle.

DANCE, BALANCE AND CORE MUSCLE PERFORMANCE MEASURES ARE IMPROVED FOLLOWING A 9-WEEK CORE STABILIZATION TRAINING PROGRAM AMONG COMPETITIVE COLLEGIATE Dancers.

BACKGROUND: Dance performance requires not only lower extremity muscle strength and endurance, but also sufficient core stabilization during dynamic dance movements. While previous studies have identified a link between core muscle performance and lower extremity injury risk, what has not been determined is if an extended core stabilization training program will improve specific measures of dance performance. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: This study examined the impact of a nine-week core stabilization program on indices of dance performance, balance measures, and core muscle performance in competitive collegiate dancers. STUDY DESIGN: Within-subject repeated measures design. METHODS: A convenience sample of 24 female collegiate dance team members (age = 19.7 ± 1.1 years, height = 164.3 ± 5.3 cm, weight 60.3 ± 6.2 kg, BMI = 22.5 ± 3.0) participated. The intervention consisted of a supervised and non-supervised core (trunk musculature) exercise training program designed specifically for dance team participants performed three days/week for nine weeks in addition to routine dance practice. Prior to the program implementation and following initial testing, transversus abdominis (TrA) activation training was completed using the abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) including ultrasound imaging (USI) verification and instructor feedback. Paired t tests were conducted regarding the nine-week core stabilization program on dance performance and balance measures (pirouettes, single leg balance in passe' releve position, and star excursion balance test [SEBT]) and on tests of muscle performance. A repeated measures (RM) ANOVA examined four TrA instruction conditions of activation: resting baseline, self-selected activation, immediately following ADIM training and four days after completion of the core stabilization training program. Alpha was set at 0.05 for all analysis. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were seen on single leg balance in passe' releve and bilateral anterior reach for the SEBT (both p ≤ 0.01), number of pirouettes (p = 0.011), and all measures of strength (p ≤ 0.05) except single leg heel raise. The RM ANOVA on mean percentage of change in TrA was significant; post hoc paired t tests demonstrated significant improvements in dancers' TrA activations across the four instruction conditions. CONCLUSION: This core stabilization training program improves pirouette ability, balance (static and dynamic), and measures of muscle performance. Additionally, ADIM training resulted in immediate and short-term (nine-week) improvements in TrA activation in a functional dance position. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

Event-related potential correlates of extradimensional and intradimensional set-shifts in a modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in healthy adult participants during the performance of a modified version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test that was designed to isolate the effects of extradimensional (ED) and intradimensional (ID) set-shifts. ERP averages were created for ED- and ID-Shift trials, as well as for the 5th trial in each block (Maintain-Rule). Differences in sensory and longer latency ERP components were found between the ED- and ID conditions, and between the two shift conditions and the Maintain-Rule trials. Consistent with the previous literature, these data indicated that ED- and ID-Shifts require different levels of neural resources. A secondary goal of this experiment was to use the excellent temporal resolution of ERPs to examine the neural correlates of various other aspects of the performance of a set-shift task, including differences between correct shifts and the commission of errors, and the differences between the reception of correct and error feedback. Comparisons were made between ERP averages to correct ED-Shift trials and ED-Error trials, and to feedback following a correct ED-Shift compared to feedback following an error. As expected, ERP differences were found between correct trials and error trials, and between the ERP correlates of receiving different types of feedback. Overall, these data further indicate the utility of using ERP methodology to study various aspects of complex neuropsychological paradigms.

Training of transversus abdominis activation in the supine position with ultrasound biofeedback translated to increased transversus abdominis activation during upright loaded functional tasks.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether healthy adults successfully completing transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle activation training in the supine position with clinician and ultrasound (US) imaging feedback increase their TrA activation during lifting and reaching tasks performed in the standing position. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal within-subject, repeated-measures (RM) study. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19 of 24 asymptomatic adult volunteers met inclusion criteria. METHODS: Each adult performed 3 trials of 5 functional tasks before receiving any training. They were then briefed on the abdominal draw-in maneuver via educational materials. Next, each adult received individualized TrA activation training while in the supine position with clinician and US feedback of TrA activation. At 5 minutes after TrA activation training, each adult who met the criterion during training performed 3 trials of these same 5 functional tasks. Tasks were randomized during these test sessions. Adults who returned 5 months later (n = 10) were tested again on 3 trials of 3 of these tasks. No feedback was provided during test sessions. Recorded cine loop images were obtained via US per trial and masked for TrA measurement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Resting state (minimum thickness) and contraction state (maximum thickness) of TrA were measured per recorded trial by a clinician who was shown to have high reliability. The percentage of change in TrA thickness {[(thicknessmax - thicknessmin)/ thicknessmin] × (100)} was the primary outcome measure. Trial averages were formed per measure per task per test session per adult. RESULTS: A 2-test sessions (pretraining, 5-minutes post-training) × 5 tasks RM analysis of variance (N = 19) indicated a significant and large effect for test sessions (P < .001, η(2) = 0.808) and moderate effect for tasks (P = .011; η(2) = 0.164). Likewise, a 3-test sessions (pretraining, 5-minutes posttraining, 5 months post-training) × 3 tasks RM analysis of variance (n = 10) indicated a significant and large test sessions effect (P < .001, η(2) = 0.57) and no task effect. Overall, the percent change in TrA thickness increased after the TrA activation training program and was maintained at 5 months; similar patterns of improvement were noted across test sessions and tasks. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic adults successfully completing a short session of TrA activation training in the supine position with US feedback of TrA activation were able to increase their TrA activation during loaded lifting and reaching tasks for at least 5 months.

Differential brain response to alcohol cue distractors across stages of alcohol dependence.

Altered attention to alcohol-related cues is implicated in the craving and relapse cycle characteristic of alcohol dependence (ALC). Prior cue reactivity studies typically invoke explicit attention to alcohol cues, so the neural response underlying incidental cue exposure remains unclear. Here, we embed infrequent, task-irrelevant alcohol and non-alcohol cues in an attention-demanding task, enabling evaluation of brain responses to distracting alcohol cues. Alcohol dependent individuals, across illness phase (n=44), and controls (n=20) performed a cue-reactivity fMRI target detection task. Significant Group-by-Distractor effects were observed in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), inferior parietal lobule, and amygdala. Controls and long-term abstainers increased recruitment of attention and cognitive control regions, while recent and long-term abstainers decreased limbic recruitment to alcohol distractors. Across phases of ALC, self-reported craving positively correlated with cue-related activations in ventral ACC, medial prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. Results indicate that brain responses elicited by incidental alcohol cues differentiate phases of ALC.

Reproducibility of ultrasound measurement of transversus abdominis during loaded, functional tasks in asymptomatic young adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reproducibility of repeat tests of ultrasound imaging (USI) measurement of transversus abdominis (TrA) activation in a single group of asymptomatic adults performing reaching and lifting tasks before and after abdominal drawing-in technique (ADIM) training in the supine position with TrA USI biofeedback. DESIGN: Clinical measurement, longitudinal reliability study. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Five male (age, 20.6 ± 4.8 years; body mass index, 25.8 ± 4.5) and 8 female (age, 18.3 ± 0.5 years; body mass index, 24.4 ± 3.3) healthy college students. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reliability and precision of minimum, maximum, and percentage of change in TrA thickness measures were examined on recorded cine loop images obtained via USI (B-mode, 7.5 MHz) for 13 asymptomatic adults. Thickness changes of the TrA muscle were measured at rest and during contraction while performing 5 functional, loaded tasks on 3 repeat tests during 3 testing sessions (ie, before ADIM training and 5 minutes and 5 months after ADIM training). The percent thickness change of TrA was calculated as [(thickness(max) - thickness(min))/thickness(min)] × 100. Reproducibility was examined by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(2,k)), standard error of measurement (error variance formula), and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Ranges of ICC and standard error of measurement values for 3 repeat tests per testing session were high and precise for single measures of minimum thickness per task (session 1: 0.68-0.93, 0.24-0.37 mm; session 2: 0.62-0.87, 0.28-0.44 mm; session 3: 0.79-0.84, 0.43-0.56 mm) and for composite measures of maximum thickness (session 1: 0.93, 0.25 mm; session 2: 0.94, 0.37 mm; session 3: 0.95, 0.64 mm) and percent change in thickness (session 1: 0.81, 12%; session 2: 0.94, 14%; session 3: 0.94, 15%). Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated significant effects for subjects, but not repeat tests. CONCLUSIONS: This study produced acceptable reproducibility of USI measures of TrA during loaded functional activities.

Ultrasound measurement of transversus abdominis during loaded, functional tasks in asymptomatic individuals: rater reliability.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the ability of 2 clinicians to consistently measure recorded contractions of the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle via ultrasound imaging (USI) during lifting and reaching tasks typical of everyday or work-related activities. DESIGN: Methodologic survey that measured inter- and intrarater reliability. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: A subset of 54 cine-loop images that were randomly selected from 6 randomly selected asymptomatic adults from a larger study that consisted of a sample of convenience of 20 asymptomatic adults, with a mean (SD) age of 18.8 ± 2.5 years and mean (SD) body mass index of 25.5 ± 3.5 kg/m(2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thickness changes in the TrA muscle at rest and during contraction while performing 5 functional, loaded tasks. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to estimate reliability. ICC model 2,1 was used for all reliability analyses on 3 TrA muscle measures: minimum thickness, maximum thickness, and percentage change in muscle thickness. Percentage thickness change of TrA muscle was calculated as ([thickness(max) - thickness(min)]/thickness(min)) × 100. RESULTS: Two clinicians both scored 9 trials of 6 randomly selected participants (54 cine loops). Rater 1 scored these images again 28 days later. All image information (participant, trial, task, and testing session) was masked. Interrater ICC (2,1) for TrA muscle measures were moderate (0.71 rested state, 0.83 contracted state, 0.81 percentage change of muscle thickness); and high for intrarater ICC (2,1) (0.97 rested state, 0.99 contracted state, and 0.95% change in muscle thickness). CONCLUSION: This study provides data for ensuring acceptable reliability of USI measures of TrA muscle thickness and thickness changes taken during loaded and functional activities. This study is the first to examine interrater and intrarater reliability of recorded cine loop images of asymptomatic adults in upright positions on 3 measures of TrA muscle activation (minimum, maximum, and percent change in muscle thickness). Reliable USI measures of TrA muscle thickness changes meet the ongoing need for clinicians' knowledge of proper and sufficiently adequate muscle activation in the clinical setting to assist progression of lumbar stabilization exercises.

Neurophysiological Distinction between Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder.

Schizoaffective disorder (SA) is distinguished from schizophrenia (SZ) based on the presence of prominent mood symptoms over the illness course. Despite this clinical distinction, SA and SZ patients are often combined in research studies, in part because data supporting a distinct pathophysiological boundary between the disorders are lacking. Indeed, few studies have addressed whether neurobiological abnormalities associated with SZ, such as the widely replicated reduction and delay of the P300 event-related potential (ERP), are also present in SA. Scalp EEG was acquired from patients with DSM-IV SA (n = 15) or SZ (n = 22), as well as healthy controls (HC; n = 22) to assess the P300 elicited by infrequent target (15%) and task-irrelevant distractor (15%) stimuli in separate auditory and visual "oddball" tasks. P300 amplitude was reduced and delayed in SZ, relative to HC, consistent with prior studies. These SZ abnormalities did not interact with stimulus type (target vs. task-irrelevant distractor) or modality (auditory vs. visual). Across sensory modality and stimulus type, SA patients exhibited normal P300 amplitudes (significantly larger than SZ patients and indistinguishable from HC). However, P300 latency and reaction time were both equivalently delayed in SZ and SA patients, relative to HC. P300 differences between SA and SZ patients could not be accounted for by variation in symptom severity, socio-economic status, education, or illness duration. Although both groups show similar deficits in processing speed, SA patients do not exhibit the P300 amplitude deficits evident in SZ, consistent with an underlying pathophysiological boundary between these disorders.

Age, body mass index, and gender differences in sacroiliac joint pathology.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between age, gender, and body mass index as they relate to sacroiliac joint pathology diagnosed by dual comparative local anesthetic blocks. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of patients at a university spine center from August 2001 until August 2004. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight patients underwent sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injections with average symptom duration of 34.0 mos. Of those patients, 26.6% were found to have SIJ pain by dual injections. The average age of this group was 53.3 yrs old; for those who had negative injections, it was 46.8 yrs old (P = 0.0025). The body mass indexes for the positive and negative SIJ pain groups were 30.2 and 29.3 kg/m2 (P = 0.40), respectively. The gender makeup of the positive and negative groups showed 64.3% female and 62.1% female (P = 0.85), respectively. Smoking tobacco status was not statistically significant between the two groups, with 29.6% of smokers having a positive block and 26.1% having a negative block (P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an age difference for those patients who have SIJ pain. These patients tend to be older than those without. Gender, age, and smoking status were not found to correlate with SIJ pathology.

Time course of processes underlying picture and word evaluation: an event-related potential approach.

A substantial body of research suggests that the cognitive mechanisms for picture and word processes are functionally and anatomically distinct. In spite of significant advancements in the understanding of pictures and words, the electrophysiological activities mediating these processes are not well known. To address this issue, we examined event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to pictures and their printed names in a modified dual-target oddball task. ERPs were recorded while participants classified schematic pictures and their corresponding names into target and nontarget categories. Results showed that pictures and words were associated with electrophysiological responses that differed temporally and topographically. In comparison to words, P300s to pictures were characterized by shorter latency and larger amplitude at parietal electrodes. In contrast, words produced greater P200 amplitude at frontal areas. The results are consistent with the view that categorization of pictures is faster than words. Findings are discussed in relation to stimulus evaluation and the time course for picture and word classification.

Event-related potentials as an index of similarity between words and pictures.

This report examines the ERP correlates of processing nontarget stimuli that are conceptually, but not perceptually, similar to a target. In two studies, the P300 component was examined in healthy adults during a multistimulus oddball paradigm. The stimuli were pictures of five objects and their five corresponding names. Participants were required to keep a mental count of number of target presentations. In Experiment 1, the target was the word "globe." Both the word target and the nontarget picture of the globe elicited large P300s, though the P300 to the picture was smaller in amplitude. No other stimulus elicited a prominent P300. In Experiment 2, the target was the picture of the globe, and the word was considered to be the related nontarget. Again, the target elicited a large P300. However, in this case the related nontarget stimulus failed to elicit a P300. The relevance of the data to theories of word/picture processing is discussed.