Correlation between coefficient of variation of choice reaction time and components of event-related potentials (P300): effect of benzodiazepine.

We studied the relationship between accuracy in the cognitive process and components of event-related potentials (P300) in 21 young and healthy subjects. Benzodiazepine was used to manipulate the cognitive state of the subjects. We recorded the serial changes in P300, choice reaction time (CRT), and error ratio (ER) before and after oral administration of 0.4 mg of alprazolam. After administration, the coefficient of variation of CRT tended to decrease in nine subjects (group I) and increase in 12 subjects (group II). Prolongation of the P300 latency was observed in all subjects after treatment; however, such change was more predominant in group II than in group I. In group I, there was no error and no significant difference in P300 amplitude before and after administration. In group II, alprazolam significantly reduced P300 amplitude and increased ER. Our results suggest that the accuracy and P300 amplitude were preserved when the central nerve system managed to reduce fluctuations in CRT but P300 amplitude diminished and the error ratio increased following deterioration of these processes.