Cholinergic modulation of human P3 event-related potentials.

A paradigm for studying relations between behavioral, neurochemical, and electrophysiologic processes is presented. Scopolamine, a centrally acting anticholinergic agent, abolished the human auditory P3 event-related potential, but had no measurable effect on the pattern reversal visual evoked potential or alpha rhythm. Recent memory was significantly impaired, but assessment of digit span, reaction time, and distant memory showed no impairment. Physostigmine, an anticholinesterase, restored the P3 and reversed the recent memory impairment. These results strongly suggest a cholinergic role in generation of P3 potential and support the concept that P3 generation is related to memory processes.