The neural correlates of insight in Chinese verbal problems: an event related-potential study.

The electrophysiological correlates of "Chinese anagrams" solving were studied using high-density event-related potentials (ERPs). Results showed that Insight solutions elicited a more positive ERP deflection (P400-600) than did Search solutions in the time window of 400-600 ms. Dipole source analysis showed that the generator of P400-600 was localized in the fusiform gyrus, which might be involved in breaking mental sets during reconstruction of the Chinese anagrams. Then, Insight solutions elicited a more positive ERP deflection (LPC) than did Search solutions between 640 and 780 ms. Dipole source analysis showed that the generator of LPC was localized in the right superior temporal gyrus, which might reflect forming novel associations when subjects regrouped the decompositions of the characters.