Mapping of event-related potentials to auditory and visual odd-ball paradigms

This paper reports the results of recordings and maps of event-related potentials (ERPs) obtained in normal subjects, patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy, confusional states, and in subjects with homonymous hemianopsia. ERPs were recorded from 19 scalp electrode derivations using both visual and acoustic paradigms. In normal subjects, the topographical distribution of all ERP components is described in detail. In 45% of AD patients, ERPs were normal; in 35%, although present, ERP components were delayed, while in the other 20% the N2 and P3 peaks could not be recorded. In patients with progressive supranuclear palsy, the normal ERP sequence was not identified. Our findings in normals and in hemianopic patients suggest that the early modulation of stimulus-related potentials could be located in primary associative areas, and that N2, P3a, P3b, SW should have different origins.