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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Infants' brain responses for speech sound changes in fast multifeature MMN paradigm.

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Abstract Objective We investigated whether newborn speech-sound discrimination can be studied in 40min using fast multifeature mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm and do the results differ from those obtained with the traditional oddball paradigm. Methods Newborns' MMN responses to five types of changes (consonant identity, F0, intensity, vowel duration and vowel identity) were recorded in the multifeature group ( N =15) and vowel duration and vowel identity changes in the oddball group ( N =13), after which the MMNs from both groups were compared with each others. Results Statistically significant MMNs in the 190–600ms time range from the stimulus onset were found for most change types in both paradigms. Newborn MMN responses were predominantly positive but a small number of participants elicited negative MMNs instead. MMN amplitudes did not differ between the multifeature and oddball groups . Conclusions Newborn speech-sound discrimination can be assessed in a short recording time using the fast multifeature paradigm. Significance The paradigm presented here can be used to record extensive auditory discrimination profiles in newborns and assess development of speech-sound discrimination and its difficulties.