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A Method to Study Adaptation to Left-Right Reversed Audition
Published on: October 29, 2018
Test-retest reliability of the magnetic mismatch negativity response to sound duration and omission deviants
Marc Recasens1, Peter J Uhlhaas1
1Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract:
Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a neurophysiological measure of auditory novelty detection that could serve as a translational biomarker of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. However, the replicability of its magnetoencephalographic (MEG) counterpart (MMNm) has been insufficiently addressed. In the current study, test-retest reliability of the MMNm response to both duration and omission deviants was evaluated over two MEG sessions in 16 healthy adults. MMNm amplitudes and latencies were obtained at both sensor- and source-level using a cortically-constrained minimum-norm approach. Intraclass correlations (ICC) were derived to assess stability of MEG responses over time. In addition, signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and within-subject statistics were obtained in order to determine MMNm detectability in individual participants. ICC revealed robust values at both sensor- and source-level for both duration and omission MMNm amplitudes (ICC = 0.81-0.90), in particular in the right hemisphere, while moderate to strong values were obtained for duration MMNm and omission MMNm peak latencies (ICC = 0.74-0.88). Duration MMNm was robustly identified in individual participants with high SNR, whereas omission MMNm responses were only observed in half of the participants. Our data indicate that MMNm to unexpected duration changes and omitted sounds are highly reproducible, providing support for the use of MEG-parameters in basic and clinical research.
Insights
Magnetoencephalography mismatch negativity (MMNm) shows high test-retest reliability for duration and omission deviants in healthy adults. This supports its use as a biomarker in psychiatric research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatric Biomarkers
- Auditory Processing
Background:
- Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a neurophysiological marker for auditory novelty detection.
- MMN shows potential as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
- Replicability of the MMN counterpart measured by magnetoencephalography (MMNm) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the test-retest reliability of MMNm responses to duration and omission deviants.
- To evaluate MMNm stability over two MEG sessions in healthy adults.
- To determine the detectability of MMNm in individual participants.
Main Methods:
- 16 healthy adults underwent two MEG sessions.
- MMNm amplitudes and latencies were analyzed at sensor and source levels.
- Cortically-constrained minimum-norm approach was used.
- Intraclass correlations (ICC) assessed reliability.
- Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) evaluated individual detectability.
Main Results:
- Robust ICC values (0.81-0.90) for MMNm amplitudes (duration and omission) at sensor and source levels, particularly in the right hemisphere.
- Moderate to strong ICC values (0.74-0.88) for MMNm peak latencies.
- Duration MMNm showed high SNR and robust individual identification.
- Omission MMNm was detected in only half of the participants.
Conclusions:
- MMNm responses to duration and omission deviants are highly reproducible.
- MEG-derived MMNm parameters demonstrate good reliability.
- Findings support the use of MMNm in basic and clinical research for psychiatric disorders.

