Evaluation of a clinically practical, ERP-based neurometric battery: Application to age-related changes in brain function

Abstract

Objective: Event-related potentials (ERPs) show promise as markers of neurocognitive dysfunction, but conventional recording procedures render measurement of many ERP-based neurometrics clinically impractical. The purpose of this work was (a) to develop a brief neurometric battery capable of eliciting a broad profile of ERPs in a single, clinically practical recording session, and (b) to evaluate the sensitivity of this neurometric profile to age-related changes in brain function.

Methods: Nested auditory stimuli were interleaved with visual stimuli to create a 20-min battery designed to elicit at least eight ERP components representing multiple sensory, perceptual, and cognitive processes (Frequency & Gap MMN, P50, P3, vMMN, C1, N2pc, and ERN). Data were recorded from 21 younger and 21 high-functioning older adults.

Results: Significant multivariate differences were observed between ERP profiles of younger and older adults. Metrics derived from ERP profiles could be used to classify individuals into age groups with a jackknifed classification accuracy of 78.6%.

Conclusions: Results support the utility of this design for neurometric profiling in clinical settings.

Significance: This study demonstrates a method for measuring a broad profile of ERP-based neurometrics in a single, brief recording session. These markers may be used individually or in combination to characterize/classify patterns of sensory and/or perceptual brain function in clinical populations.

Keywords: EEG; ERP; Evoked potential; Neurometrics.