Contingent negative variation

Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) is an event-related potential (ERP) component measured through electroencephalography (EEG). It is associated with the preparation and anticipation of a stimulus or response. The CNV typically appears as a negative-going wave that occurs between a warning signal and the subsequent stimulus or response, particularly in tasks that require a subject to prepare for a forthcoming event. The CNV is believed to reflect cognitive processes related to attention, expectation, and motivation.