Assesment of ERP Based Electrophysiological Findings of Working Memory

The Event Related Potential (ERP) components that are observed in response to the stimuli play an important role in working memory research. The working memory is known as a mental process that basically allows the use of complex cognitive tasks, the ability to temporarily store and use information. The purpose of this study is to understand the concept of the working memory and electrical responses of the brain during cognitive processes. A total of 21 participants from Marmara University, 1 female (mean age=21) and 20 male (mean age=22.95, SD=5.54) athletes voluntarily participated in the study. EEG recordings were performed with 16 channel Brain Products actiCAP at 1000 Hz sampling frequency. 8 letters (B, Q, X, F, M, K, H, R) written in white on a black screen were used as stimuli. All stimuli randomly presented in 8 sets with each set consisting of 25 letters. An LCD screen was used as presentation apparatus. For the analysis of the data, Brain Products Analyzer, MatlabR2013 software program and SPSS17 package program were used. Statistical analyzes of the data were done using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Electrophysiological analysis of the study showed significant differences in frontal, central, occipital and parietal areas (F (2.19) = 17.43; p = 0.00). When the mean time values were examined, significant differences were found in frontal, central, occipital and parietal areas (F = (4.76) = 10.07; p = 0.00). However, there was no significant difference in the mean frequency values. When the participants’ reaction times were examined, it is found that they press the button faster for the stimuli they need to pres (correct situation) then they fort he stimuli they should not pres (wrong situation). In light of these results, it is thought that the N-back task can provide a illuminating results to understand working memory processes