Post-task P3-changes following a brief, rigorous visual task indicate individual differences in the task-specific ability

The P3 latency in an auditory oddball ERP paradigm is known to get prolonged after a few hours of mental task. The present study shows that it takes merely a few minutes of challenging visual mental activity to produce significant changes in P3 latency in the visual oddball ERP paradigm. However, the mental activity results in a shortening of P3-latency almost as often as it results in its prolongation. Similarly, the post-task P3 amplitude is higher or lower with nearly equal incidences. Following the task, the reaction time shortens as often as it prolongs. It seems that the P3 changes and their variations through electrode sites signify individual differences in the amount and extent of additional neuronal resources tapped by the subject in coping with the challenging task, and that it leaves an aftereffect for several minutes after the mental workload is withdrawn. These aftereffects get indexed in the P3 wave characteristics of a much simpler ERP paradigm with more change occurring in the better performers. In the clinical context, these observations raise doubts about the diagnostic value of P3 latency or amplitude without knowledge of the immediate history of mental workload.