[Electrophysiological contributions to the study of attention]

A selective review of electrophysiological studies of attention and attentional behavior is presented. The emphasis is placed on the contribution of cerebral event-related potentials (ERP) (evoked potentials) to the clarification of major issues, such as the role of peripheral versus central mechanisms and testing of hypotheses regarding selective attention. A number of clinical studies dealing mostly with diagnostic applications and therapeutic trials is discussed. The difficulties of interpretation and integration with other sources of knowledge on behavioral physiology are briefly discussed.