Endogenous event-related potentials in term and preterm infants

Event-related brain potentials generated in an auditory oddball paradigm were recorded in term and preterm infants. The amplitudes of these brain potentials were significantly larger when generated by a rare improbable stimulus compared to a common frequently presented stimulus. While the magnitude of this novelty detection effect depended on the gestational status (full term and preterm) of the infant, these findings suggest the developmental continuity of cognitive processes such as selective attention and recognition memory ordinarily observed in adults. The significant relationship between the amplitudes of these brain potentials and states conducive for sustained attention in infants further supports the endogenous nature of these potentials.