Statistical detection and analysis of mismatch negativity derived by a multi-deviant design from normal hearing children

To shorten the time of measurement of mismatch negativity (MMN) and to objectify the analysis of MMN characteristics, auditory evoked potentials (AEP) were recorded and MMNs were statistically examined. AEPs from 16 healthy children between the ages of 5 and 7 were elicited using a multi-deviant design including: frequency, duration, intensity, and gap. For detection of MMN an automatic method was applied based on statistical analysis (t-tests) of AEP sweeps. The incidences found were compared to the incidences of MMNs detected by visual inspection of difference waveforms. MMN features such as peak amplitude, peak latency, onset latency, duration of MMN, and area under the curve were evaluated for MMN intervals identified by statistical analysis. MMN incidences identified by statistical analysis (44) reflected a consistency of 84% to visually identified (52) incidences of MMN. Scalp distribution of MMN was mainly fronto-central. Peak latencies of the duration MMN differed significantly from those of the other deviant MMNs. The multi-deviant paradigm was successfully applied for measuring children’s AEPs. The statistical approach proved applicable for analysing the data objectively.