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Possible neuronal refractory or recovery artifacts associated with recording the mismatch negativity response
L J Walker1, M Carpenter, C R Downs
1Department of Communication Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA.
Abstract:
The mismatch negativity (MMN) is an event-related potential that involves a negative voltage shift of baseline electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in the approximate latency window of the N1 and P2 cortical potentials in response to new or novel sounds. The MMN is present at birth and has been hypothesized to serve as an automatic preconscious detector of changes in the auditory environment. Research paradigms used to extract the MMN response from EEG activity have a potential problem related to neuronal refractoriness or recovery. Both N1 and P2 are known to increase in amplitude with longer interstimulus intervals (ISIs). The MMN extraction procedures involve mathematical subtraction of waveforms elicited by standard sounds (with short ISIs) from those recorded to rare deviant sounds (with longer ISIs). Any ISI-dependent amplitude changes in N1 and/or P2 could therefore alter the morphology of the resulting difference wave and lead to misinterpretation of the nature of the underlying MMN generators. We tested 12 young females and found that the MMN can be influenced by ISI-dependent refractory effects that may modify the waveform morphology. This has important clinical implications since the MMN is being investigated as an assessment tool.
Insights
Mismatch negativity (MMN), an auditory event-related potential, can be altered by interstimulus interval (ISI) effects. These refractory effects may impact MMN waveform morphology, affecting its use as a clinical assessment tool.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an electroencephalographic (EEG) response to auditory novelty.
- It is considered an automatic, preconscious change detector in the auditory environment.
- MMN is present from birth and studied for clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of interstimulus interval (ISI) dependent refractory effects on MMN waveform morphology.
- To determine if these effects could lead to misinterpretation of MMN generators.
Main Methods:
- EEG data was collected from 12 young females.
- Standard and deviant auditory stimuli were presented with varying ISIs.
- MMN was extracted by subtracting standard from deviant responses.
Main Results:
- The study found that MMN waveform morphology can be influenced by ISI-dependent refractory effects.
- Amplitude changes in N1 and P2 potentials due to ISI variations were observed.
- These alterations can potentially misrepresent the underlying MMN generators.
Conclusions:
- Refractory effects related to ISI variations can significantly impact MMN.
- This finding has critical implications for the interpretation of MMN in research and clinical settings.
- The use of MMN as a reliable assessment tool may require accounting for these ISI-dependent effects.
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