Evaluation effect of auditory event related potential P300 on cognitive function of the community elderly people

Objective The research aimed to analyze the differences of auditory event related potential P300 in elderly people with different levels of cognitive function in order to provide the basis for confirming the cognitive level in community. Methods Thirty-two patients with Alzheimer disease (AD group) , thirty-five MCI patients (MCI group) and thirty-five normal people (normal group) were selected from five communities in Weifang from October 2011 to October 2013. The cognitive level of these subjects was evaluated with Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE) and the event related potential P300 of these patients were recorded with a passive auditory oddball paradigm using the ESI -64 system(Neuroscan Inc., USA) which was used for collecting and recording EEG signals. Results The latencies of MCI group showed significantly prolonged values [(378.17±24.62) ms, P<0.01], and lower amplitudes [(12.35±4.02) μV, P<0.05] of the P300 compared with normal control [(15.59±5.99)μV,P<0.05]. The latencies of AD group showed significantly prolonged values [(425.43±32.11) ms, P<0.01)], and lower amplitudes [(8.56±5.21) μV, P<0.01] of the P300 compared with normal group and MCI group. Conclusions The prolonged latency and lower amplitude of auditory event related potential P300 measurement contribute to diagnose the degree of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. It holds important value for noninvasive diagnosis and evaluation of cognitive dysfunction among the elderly in community. Key words: Aged; Alzheimer disease; Cognition disorder; Auditory perception; Event related potentials; P300; Community