P300 topography of amplitude/latency correlations

The correlational association from 19 electrode sites between peak amplitude and latency for the P3(00) event-related brain potential (ERP) for n = 80 homogeneous subjects was assessed using a simple auditory discrimination task. The correlation strength varied systematically across scalp topography in different ways for the various ERP components. For the target stimuli, P3 amplitude and latency were negatively correlated and most tightly coupled over the frontal-central and right medial/lateral recording sites. In contrast, the N1 produced negative correlations that were strongest over the left and right central/lateral locations; P2 demonstrated a positive correlation that was strongest frontally and centrally; N2 demonstrated a positive correlations that was strongest over the central and parietal sites. ERPs from the standard stimuli produced generally similar patterns for the P3 and P2 components, with only weak or no reliable effects observed for the N1 and N2 potentials. Taken together, the findings suggest that analysis of amplitude/latency correlational relationships can provide information about ERP component generation. Theoretical implications are discussed.