Test-retest variability of auditory event-related potentials

Auditory event-related potentials (ERP, P3 components) were recorded from normal young adult subjects (17 to 37 yr) during two sessions scheduled 1 to 2 weeks apart. The test-retest intrasubject variability and the intersubject variability of the latency and amplitude values of components N1, P2, and P3 were investigated and analyzed. Between subjects, there was no evidence of systematic age-related changes of component latencies and amplitudes: the latency of P2 came closest to exhibit such an effect. Within subjects, there were no statistically significant changes of component latencies and amplitudes between test and retest, although ERP component latencies tended to be reduced on retest, especially the latency of P3.