Auditory N1 as a change-related automatic response

To test the hypothesis that the N1 component of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) is one form of the change-related response elicited by an abrupt change in sound pressure from a silent background, two AEP experiments were conducted. Change-N1 was evoked by a test stimulus at 70 dB following a 3-s conditioning stimulus of 0–69 dB. On-N1 was evoked by the test sound alone at various sound pressures. As the physical difference between stimuli increased, the amplitude of Change-N1 increased, and the latency shortened. The amplitude and latency of On-N1 showed a similar pattern to the Change-N1 response. These results support the idea that On-N1 is a change-related component elicited by a sound pressure change.

► We test the similarity of N1 of AEPs and the change-related response. ► Change-N1 was evoked by 70 dB following a 3-s stimulus at 0–69 dB. ► On-N1 was evoked by the sound alone at various sound pressures. ► The amplitude and latency of On-N1 showed a similar pattern to the Change-N1. ► On-N1 is a change-related component elicited by a sound pressure change.