Study of auditory sensory memory in normal preschool children

【Objective】 To investigate the auditory sensory memory function of normal preschool children with auditory event-related potential.【Methods】 The mismatch negativity(MMN)was obtained in preschool children ages ranged from 30 to 72 months in an oddball paradigm.Stimulus consisted of 1 000 Hz tones with 85% probability as standard and 1 200 Hz with 15% probability as deviant.【Results】 Pure tones elicited a strong MMN(peaking at about 170~175 ms)and a late discrimination negativity(peaking at about 450~500 ms)after stimulus onset mainly in the frontocentral area.There was no significant difference between the right and left hemisphere in the mean amplitude of 100 to 250 ms time-window.【Conclusions】 The MMN and late discrimination negativity are developmentally quite stable in preschool children.There are probably difference in auditory sensory memory processing between male and female preschool children.