A review of event-related potential (ERP) components employed in mental arithmetic processing studies

Abstract

This review focuses on studies utilizing early, late and slow-wave components of event-related potentials (ERPs) in investigating two mental arithmetic processing (MAP) phenomenons - problem-size and arithmetic-operation effects. While MAP has been associated primarily with slow-wave components of ERPs, inconsistent findings are found in the literature on the sensitivity of early and some late components. In an attempt to theoretically integrate the results of reviewed studies, it is proposed that the amplitude of early and late ERP components are potential indices for measuring the effect of manipulating the problem-size and/or arithmeticoperation during MAP. This conclusion will help in providing more insight into the strategies employed in MAP by the human brain.