Auditory P3 latency and amplitude: relationships to earlier exogenous auditory events

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship for latency and amplitude between exogenous auditory potentials arising at the level of cranial nerve VIII and continuing through the level of the cortex and the auditory P3 endogenous potential. Thirty-four normal hearing adults participated in the study. Binaural ABR, MLR, LCR, and P3 recordings were obtained using 2 kHz tone bursts as the stimulus. Relationships between peak latencies and amplitudes from the early, middle, and late potentials were analyzed using Pearson Product-Moment correlation procedures and multiple regression analyses. Results indicated no significant positive relationships for latency or amplitude between early, middle, or late exogenous potentials and the endogenous P3 potential. Pa of the MLR and P3 demonstrated significant latency/amplitude trading functions. The present data support the hypothesis that P3 latency and amplitude are not related to the latencies and amplitudes of the exogenous responses.