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Graded Potential

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Graded potentials are localized fluctuations in the cell membrane's electrical charge, commonly found in the dendrites of neurons. The magnitude of these potential changes depends on the strength of the initiating stimulus. In a membrane at its resting potential, a graded potential signifies a voltage shift either above -70 mV or below -70 mV.
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Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Investigating the Effects of Antipsychotics and Schizotypy on the N400 Using Event-Related Potentials and Semantic Categorization

Investigating the Effects of Antipsychotics and Schizotypy on the N400 Using Event-Related Potentials and Semantic Categorization

Published on: November 19, 2014

FN400 potentials are functionally identical to N400 potentials and reflect semantic processing during recognition

Joel L Voss¹, Kara D Federmeier

¹Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Psychophysiology

|August 13, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The FN400 brainwave is not distinct from the N400; both reflect semantic priming during recognition memory tasks, not familiarity.

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Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology

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Investigating the Effects of Antipsychotics and Schizotypy on the N400 Using Event-Related Potentials and Semantic Categorization

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Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology

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Published on: June 29, 2021

Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Electrophysiology
Memory Research

Background:

The FN400 and N400 are electrophysiological components often studied in cognitive neuroscience.
The FN400 is hypothesized to relate to familiarity memory, while the N400 is linked to language processing.
Direct comparisons to differentiate these components have been lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the distinct roles of the FN400 and N400 components.
To determine if the FN400 is specifically associated with familiarity memory.
To compare electrophysiological and functional differences between N400 and FN400.

Main Methods:

Short-term semantic priming was manipulated during a recognition memory test.
Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded to analyze brainwave activity.
Semantic priming effects were compared between N400 and FN400 components and their relation to memory performance.

Main Results:

Semantic priming effects on the N400 were similar to memory effects at the same latency.
Semantic priming significantly modulated the FN400 component.
The FN400 showed no influence on familiarity memory, contrary to hypotheses.

Conclusions:

No electrophysiological or functional differences were found between the N400 and FN400.
Findings challenge the association of the FN400 with familiarity memory.
Semantic priming, reflected by the N400, appears to be misattributed to the FN400 during recognition tests.