Introduction: The P300 wave is an event-related potential (ERP) component related to stimulus evaluation or categorization. It can be obtained in conditions in which participants observe a frequent stimulus (standard) and an infrequent stimulus (oddball). Individual differences influence P300 amplitude considerably in healthy subjects, for instance most reports have explored the relationships between P300 and the introversion-extraversion dimension of Eysenck theory. However, the relationships between other dimensions of Eysenck personality theory (sincerity, neuroticism and psychoticism) and P300 haven’t been clarified. Also, some studies have reported that P300 amplitude is related to anxiety. Trait anxiety evaluates anxiety proneness (security, confidence, calmness). A substantial amount of literature suggests that fear increases attention to external stimuli, especially novel information. Even though previous studies have found a negative correlation between anxiety scores and P300 peak and weak personality scores and P300, existing knowledge about the influence of both trait anxiety and personality on P300 response is still inconsistent.

Purpose: To assess the relation between Personality, Anxiety and P300 component.

Methods: Participants responded to three standard questionnaires: Handedness Inventory, Personality Inventory (EPQR) and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and completed an Oddball task where they perceived colored squares that differed in frequency while their EEG activity was recorded, in order to analyze the P300 component.

Results: Preliminary results show a strong positive correlation between the STAI-T and P300 peak (p=0.014). We also found a marginal positive correlation between Neuroticism and P300 (p=0.06).

Discussion: Our results shed some light on the relation between an electrophysiological biomarker like the P300 and two well known personality traits.