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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
Data Acquisition and Analysis In Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry In Mice
Published on: May 10, 2019
Deviance-related electrophysiological activity in mice: is there mismatch negativity in mice?
D Umbricht1, D Vyssotki, A Latanov
1Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. umbricht@bli.unizh.ch
Objective:
Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an auditory event-related potential (ERP) that provides an index of auditory sensory memory and has become an important tool to investigate auditory sensory memory in cognitive neuroscience and disorders such as schizophrenia and dyslexia. The development of a mouse model of human MMN would permit to investigate the molecular biology of normal and dysfunctional MMN generation. However, the presence of MMN-like electrophysiological activity in mice has not been demonstrated.
Methods:
Deviance-related ERPs were recorded in awake mice using 3 frequency deviance paradigms and one duration deviance paradigm. These paradigms were modelled after paradigms used in human studies to characterize MMN.
Results:
Significant deviance-related activity was observed in all paradigms. However, in all frequency deviance paradigms this activity manifested as an enhancement of similar activity to the standard due to differences in stimulation rate between deviant and standard stimuli rather than qualitatively different MMN-like activity. In the duration deviance paradigm negative deflections were observed that showed characteristics typical of human MMN.
Conclusions:
MMN-like activity can be observed in mice in duration deviance paradigms. In frequency deviance paradigms effects of different stimulation rates of deviant and standard stimuli seem to be the main determinants of deviance-related activity.
Significance:
Investigations of MMN-like ERPs in mice may permit to investigate the molecular basis for normal and abnormal MMN generation in neuropsychiatric disorders and dyslexia.
Insights
Mismatch negativity (MMN)-like activity was observed in mice using duration deviance paradigms, but not frequency deviance. This finding enables investigating the molecular basis of MMN in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Auditory neuroscience
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an auditory event-related potential (ERP) reflecting auditory sensory memory.
- MMN is crucial for studying cognitive neuroscience and disorders like schizophrenia and dyslexia.
- A mouse model is needed to explore the molecular basis of MMN generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if MMN-like electrophysiological activity can be demonstrated in mice.
- To establish a mouse model for investigating MMN.
- To explore the molecular biology of MMN in health and disease.
Main Methods:
- Auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in awake mice.
- Three frequency deviance and one duration deviance paradigms were employed.
- Paradigms were adapted from human MMN studies.
Main Results:
- Significant deviance-related activity was detected in all tested paradigms.
- Duration deviance paradigms revealed negative deflections characteristic of human MMN.
- Frequency deviance paradigms showed stimulation rate effects, not distinct MMN-like activity.
Conclusions:
- MMN-like activity is observable in mice, specifically within duration deviance paradigms.
- Frequency deviance paradigms are influenced by stimulation rate differences.
- Mouse models of MMN can facilitate research into neuropsychiatric disorders and dyslexia.
