Parallel Factor Analysis in the Study of Event-Related Potentials

Abstract

The study evaluated whether a parallel factor analysis model is adequate and efficient in describing the event-related potentials (ERPs). ERPs evoked in a visual Go/NoGo task were recorded in 351 healthy subjects aged 18–55 years. The parallel factor analysis made it possible to separate the ERP components that differed in topography and waveform; the latter components proved to depend on the type of a subject’s response. The magnitudes of the components were individual, varied among subjects, and were mutually uncorrelated. Based on our results, the parallel factor analysis was concluded to provide an adequate approach for describing common characteristics and individual features of ERPs.