Emotional context during encoding modulates recognition electrophysiological activity

The aim of the study was to determine whether experiencing a non-emotional event in a positive or negative emotional context affected recognition of the event and the related electrophysiological activity. Twenty-eight adults participated in a betting-game task in which they could win (positive emotional context) or lose (negative emotional context) money. The participants also completed a non-betting task (non-emotional context). Afterward, the participants completed an old/new recognition task for faces with neutral expressions that were encoded during the betting and non-betting game. Event-related potentials and autonomic responses were recorded. The stimuli learned in the positive emotional context were better recognized than those learned in the non-emotional context. The FN400, the parietal old/new effect and the late frontal old/new effect were modulated by positive valence. Learning information under a positive emotional condition enhances its later recognition and the brain activity that underlies this process.