Spatiotemporal analysis of experimental differences in event-related potential data with partial least squares.

One challenge in the analysis of event-related potentials (ERPs) is to identify task-related differences in scalp topography. The multivariate Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis was used to identify the spatiotemporal distribution of ERP differences related to experimental manipulations. Two simulations included latency shifts and amplitude changes at peaks with temporal overlap. PLS identified effects only at modeled timepoints and electrodes. In contrast, principal components analysis identified differences at most timepoints. We also demonstrated that PLS identified combinations of waveform differences, not isolated sources. ERP components in an auditory oddball task were also assessed with PLS. The primary distinction was between ERPs on hit and correct rejection trials, expressed at multiple timepoints and electrodes. PLS provides a mechanism to describe experimental differences in ERP waveforms, simultaneously across the head.