Feedback negativity and feedback-related P3 in individuals at risk for depression: Comparing surface potentials and current source densities

Our findings add nuanced ERP evidence of altered reward processing in depression and depression risk. Whereas robust condition effects (win, loss, neutral feedback) were congruent with prior research, our comparative side-by-side analysis of ERPs and their current source density transformations using permutation tests and multilevel modeling revealed that the characterization of subtle group differences is impeded and potentially altered by the EEG reference choice, underscoring the importance of using reference-free techniques for analyzing ERPs.