EEG amplitude spectra before near threshold visual presentations differentially predict detection/omission and short–long reaction time outcomes

•EEG power spectra just prior to a simple stimulus delivery were explored.•Reduced frontal slow activity predicts both detection and fast RT.•RT effects differed from detection effects in parietocentral fast EEG activity.•Fast EEG with high and low power at different sites predicted good performance.•Detection and response speed are not prepared in the same way in the brain.

Performance in simple stimulus detection manifests as both probability of detection and speed of signaling detected stimuli. These two dimensions of performance across trials were examined with respect to brain states just prior to stimulus delivery, using near threshold stimuli targeting the magnocellular or the parvocellular visual streams in an attempt to isolate differential perceptual preparation. The EEG amplitude of 12 university students was analyzed in spectral bands from 2 to 50 Hz at 9 bilateral channel pairs in a window covering − 450 ms to + 50 ms relative to stimulus onset. A hierarchical statistical procedure was applied to control false positive results. EEG power in the 2, 4, 8 and 10 Hz bands was found significantly lower at the F7-F8 channel pair both before detected compared to omitted stimuli and before the fastest compared to slowest reaction time quartiles, with no stimulus type effect. In addition, the 22 and 24 Hz band activity was lower prior to better performance frontally (F3–F4, F7–F8) in reaction time but not in detection, while it was larger centro-parietally (CP1–CP2, P3–P4) in detection but not in reaction times. Spectral analysis thus shows stimulus detection and response speed to depend partly on common and partly on distinct pre-stimulus brain states.