Variability of Single Trial ERP Measures Within a Session is Systematic
and Nonlinear
Abstract
Averaging multiple event-related potential (ERP) segments distorts the
brain’s response to a stimulus given the false assumptions that the ERP
signal is invariant and hidden by background noise. Our Single Trial
Peaks (STP) procedure measures amplitude and latency of multiple peaks
in each segment based on the peak latencies of the individual’s averaged
ERP. This study examined correct trial data from 70 adults performing
two repetitions of a speeded visual flanker task. STP peak data (P1, N1,
P2, N2, and P3) were compared to single-trial averaged voltage in time
windows (STW) and peaks of averaged ERPs. Results indicated that the STP
approach had higher split-half reliability (odd-even, r =.70-.96) and
test-retest reliability (r =.66-.97) than the STW approach. The mean
signal/noise ratios for the amplitude measures for the STP ranged from
1.62 to 2.9 and were larger than the STW approach, although averaged
ERPs had higher ratios than both. Coefficients of variation (CV) for the
STP and STW approaches were similar, and both had smaller CVs than
averaged ERPs. The validity of the STP approach was determined by
regression analyses where mean trial-level peak amplitude, SDs across
trials for amplitude and latency, and noise accounted for a significant
amount of variance in corresponding peaks of the averaged ERPs (R2
=.73-.95). Curve fitting analyses showed nonlinear systematic patterns
in amplitude over trials similar to changes in response time. These
results support the validity of the STP approach which can be used to
investigate systematic changes of brain activity across trial.