Event-related potential (ERP) evidence for sensory-based action memories

Memory for performed and motioned actions was measured on source recognition and source recall tests in order to investigate memory for actions or output monitoring (OM). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during the source recognition test to provide insight into the basis of OM. Source identification and recall of performed actions was greater than motioned actions indicating that sensory characteristics provide unique information for action memories. The ERP data supported this interpretation because the brain activity elicited by performed actions differed from motioned and new actions. Early parietal ERP differences suggest that sensory information leads to selective recollection of performed actions or that more sensory information was activated by performed actions during remembering. A large late posterior negativity (LPN) was also observed in the absence of frontal ERP differences, which are typically observed during source monitoring. This pattern of ERP differences is evidence that frontal ERPs and the LPN reflect distinct source monitoring processes. Based on the available data, we argue that frontal ERPs reflect general decision processes that evaluate diagnostic information, whereas the LPN reflects processes that are engaged when a detailed inspection of information is required by the context.