Stability of mismatch negativity event-related potentials in a multisite study
Brian J Roach1, Holly K Hamilton1,2, Peter Bachman3
1Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA.
Objectives:
Mismatch negativity (MMN), an auditory event-related potential sensitive to deviance detection, is smaller in schizophrenia and psychosis risk. In a multisite study, a regression approach to account for effects of site and age (12-35 years) was evaluated alongside the one-year stability of MMN.
Methods:
Stability of frequency, duration, and frequency + duration (double) deviant MMN was assessed in 167 healthy subjects, tested on two occasions, separated by 52 weeks, at one of eight sites. Linear regression models predicting MMN with age and site were validated and used to derive standardized MMN z-scores. Variance components estimated for MMN amplitude and latency measures were used to calculate Generalizability (G) coefficients within each site to assess MMN stability. Trait-like aspects of MMN were captured by averaging across occasions and correlated with subject traits.
Results:
Age and site accounted for less than 7% of MMN variance. G-coefficients calculated at electrode Fz were stable (G = 0.63) across deviants and sites for amplitude measured in a fixed window, but not for latency (G = 0.37). Frequency deviant MMN z-scores averaged across tests negatively correlated with averaged global assessment of functioning.
Conclusion:
MMN amplitude is stable and can be standardized to facilitate longitudinal multisite studies of patients and clinical features.
Insights
Mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitude is stable across sites and can be standardized for longitudinal studies. This auditory event-related potential aids in understanding clinical features in schizophrenia and psychosis risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an auditory event-related potential reflecting deviance detection.
- Reduced MMN is observed in schizophrenia and psychosis risk, indicating potential utility in clinical studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a regression approach for accounting for site and age effects in MMN.
- To assess the one-year stability of MMN in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- Assessed MMN stability (frequency, duration, double deviant) in 167 healthy subjects over 52 weeks at 8 sites.
- Used linear regression for age/site effects, derived standardized MMN z-scores, and calculated Generalizability (G) coefficients for stability.
- Correlated averaged MMN across occasions with subject traits to capture trait-like aspects.
Main Results:
- Age and site explained <7% of MMN variance.
- MMN amplitude at Fz showed good stability (G=0.63) across deviants and sites within a fixed window, unlike latency (G=0.37).
- Standardized frequency deviant MMN z-scores negatively correlated with global functioning assessment.
Conclusions:
- MMN amplitude is a stable measure.
- Standardization of MMN amplitude facilitates multisite longitudinal studies.
- MMN can be utilized to investigate clinical features in psychiatric disorders.
