title: The prediction of normal P3 latency and the diagnosis of dementia.
abstract: The relationship between age and the latency of the P3 (auditory evoked response potential) component was best described in 55 normals aged 15-89 by separate linear regression equations for those younger and those older than 63. Twelve out of 19 patients with dementia had P3 latencies at FZ and CZ which were delayed by more than two standard errors from the normal latency for their age predicted using the above equations, and were thus correctly identified. However, an equation calculated across the entire adult age range provided a better patient identification rate. The potential usefulness of P3 measures in clarifying the nature of cognitive impairment in dementia is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time; D012016:Reference Values