N200 and P300 component changes in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis

Cognitive impairment can seriously affect the quality of life of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Although numerous studies showed that N200, P300 latency and amplitude are correlated with cognitive functions, there is a sufficient amount of controversial results. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a meta-analysis of N200, P300 latency and amplitude data of event-related potential (ERP) in PD.

We systematically searched on PubMed and Web of Science for PD-related ERP studies published before December 2021. Standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) estimates of N200 and P300 components were compared among PD patients, PD dementia (PDD) patients, PD non-dementia (PDND) patient, and healthy control (HC).

Our meta-analysis showed prolonged N200 latency at the Fz, Cz electrode sites, prolonged P300 latency at the Fz sites in PD patients, compared to HC; prolonged N200 latency at the Cz, Pz electrode sites in PDND patients, compared to HC; prolonged P300 latency at the Cz site in PDD patients, compared to PDND patients; and reduced P300 amplitude at the Fz electrode site in PDND patients, compared to HC.

N200 and P300 component may be potential electrophysiological biomarkers of early cognitive impairment in PD patients. Future studies are needed to confirm this conclusion. Estimates of N200 and P300 component can be a valuable support for clinicians in diagnosis of early cognitive impairment in PD patients due to the simplicity and non-invasiveness of the procedure.