What are ERP measurements?
What are ERPs?
N170 Face processing
Why ERPs?
What are ERP measurements?
ERPs are measurements that rely on one or more stimuli to detect changes in the brain. These stimuli can be different, such as sounds, images or tactile stimuli. Images such as letters, numbers or faces are often presented in quick succession. Every stimulus that triggers a perception is processed in the brain and is reflected in the EEG. However, these changes are usually so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. The proportions are comparable to an apple compared to Cologne Cathedral.
Why ERPs?
The use of ERPs is diverse. In addition to the well-known P300, there are numerous variants that are suitable for different clinical examinations. Most tests require attention, short-term memory, discrimination or a combination of these, while attention is undesirable in tests such as the ‘Mismatch Negativity’. ERPs serve as neuromarkers for ADHD, dementia, ageing, anxiety, cognitive performance, depression, autism and specific cognitive and emotional processing characteristics.
N170 Face processing
The N170 is an event-related potential (ERP) component that is commonly associated with the neural processing of faces. This component is observed as a negative deflection in the EEG signal that typically occurs around 170 milliseconds after the presentation of a face stimulus. The N170 has been widely studied in cognitive neuroscience as a marker for face perception, and its characteristics—such as amplitude and latency—can vary depending on various factors, including the observer's attention, the familiarity of the face, and the presence of certain neurological or psychiatric conditions. In the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), research has shown that individuals with ASD may exhibit abnormalities in face processing, which can be reflected in alterations of the N170 component. The N170's latency, for instance, may be delayed in individuals with ASD, suggesting differences in the speed or efficiency of face processing compared to neurotypical individuals. This finding has been debated and scrutinized, as similar delays have also been observed in other psychiatric and neurological disorders, indicating that the N170 alteration is not specific to ASD. The studies by Kang et al. (2018) and Feuerriegel et al. (2015) provide a comprehensive analysis of these phenomena, highlighting the complexity of using N170 as a unique biomarker for ASD.
What are ERPs?
Event-related potentials are recordings of the electrical activity of the brain that are triggered by an event. Each event causes a minimal change in voltage within a certain time window. A rough distinction is made between time windows for sensory and cognitive processing. The early potentials start at around 20 milliseconds, while late potentials can last up to 2 seconds or longer. The early potentials are important for neurological diagnostics, while the range from 200 milliseconds onwards is relevant for the assessment of cognitive functions.
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Emilia Machado
Created on February 16, 2026
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Transcript
What are ERP measurements?
What are ERPs?
N170 Face processing
Why ERPs?
What are ERP measurements?
ERPs are measurements that rely on one or more stimuli to detect changes in the brain. These stimuli can be different, such as sounds, images or tactile stimuli. Images such as letters, numbers or faces are often presented in quick succession. Every stimulus that triggers a perception is processed in the brain and is reflected in the EEG. However, these changes are usually so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. The proportions are comparable to an apple compared to Cologne Cathedral.
Why ERPs?
The use of ERPs is diverse. In addition to the well-known P300, there are numerous variants that are suitable for different clinical examinations. Most tests require attention, short-term memory, discrimination or a combination of these, while attention is undesirable in tests such as the ‘Mismatch Negativity’. ERPs serve as neuromarkers for ADHD, dementia, ageing, anxiety, cognitive performance, depression, autism and specific cognitive and emotional processing characteristics.
N170 Face processing
The N170 is an event-related potential (ERP) component that is commonly associated with the neural processing of faces. This component is observed as a negative deflection in the EEG signal that typically occurs around 170 milliseconds after the presentation of a face stimulus. The N170 has been widely studied in cognitive neuroscience as a marker for face perception, and its characteristics—such as amplitude and latency—can vary depending on various factors, including the observer's attention, the familiarity of the face, and the presence of certain neurological or psychiatric conditions. In the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), research has shown that individuals with ASD may exhibit abnormalities in face processing, which can be reflected in alterations of the N170 component. The N170's latency, for instance, may be delayed in individuals with ASD, suggesting differences in the speed or efficiency of face processing compared to neurotypical individuals. This finding has been debated and scrutinized, as similar delays have also been observed in other psychiatric and neurological disorders, indicating that the N170 alteration is not specific to ASD. The studies by Kang et al. (2018) and Feuerriegel et al. (2015) provide a comprehensive analysis of these phenomena, highlighting the complexity of using N170 as a unique biomarker for ASD.
What are ERPs?
Event-related potentials are recordings of the electrical activity of the brain that are triggered by an event. Each event causes a minimal change in voltage within a certain time window. A rough distinction is made between time windows for sensory and cognitive processing. The early potentials start at around 20 milliseconds, while late potentials can last up to 2 seconds or longer. The early potentials are important for neurological diagnostics, while the range from 200 milliseconds onwards is relevant for the assessment of cognitive functions.