title: The mismatch negativity to frequency deviants during the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
abstract: This study examines the changes in the Mismatch Negativity during the transition from a waking, conscious state to one of sleep and unconsciousness. Auditory event-related potentials were recorded from eight participants during the sleep onset period. A 1,000 Hz-standard stimulus was presented every 600 ms. At random, on 20% of the trials, the standard was changed to either a large 2,000-Hz or a small 1,100-Hz deviant. During wakefulness, the large deviant elicited a larger, long-lasting MMN than the small deviant. Following the large deviant during relaxed wakefulness and Stage 2 sleep, the MMN continued to be elicited although it was reduced in amplitude. No significant MMN was recorded for either deviant in Stages 1 and slow wave sleep. The loss of consciousness therefore appears to have a marked effect on the MMN.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabri
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: De Lugt
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology*