title: Auditory middle latency response in children with learning difficulties.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is an objective laboratory assessment of the central auditory systems of children with learning disabilities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine and determine the properties of the components of the Auditory Middle Latency Response in a sample of children with learning disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study with quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory outcomes. We included 50 children aged 8-13 years of both genders with and without learning disorders. Those with disorders of known organic, environmental, or genetic causes were excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Na, Pa, and Nb waves were identified in all subjects. The ranges of the latency component values were as follows: Na = 9.8-32.3 ms, Pa = 19.0-51.4 ms, Nb = 30.0-64.3 ms (learning disorders group) and Na = 13.2-29.6 ms, Pa = 21.8-42.8 ms, Nb = 28.4-65.8 ms (healthy group). The values of the Na-Pa amplitude ranged from 0.3 to 6.8 ìV (learning disorders group) or 0.2-3.6 ìV (learning disorders group). Upon analysis, the functional characteristics of the groups were distinct: the left hemisphere Nb latency was longer in the study group than in the control group. Peculiarities of the electrophysiological measures were observed in the children with learning disorders. This study has provided information on the Auditory Middle Latency Response and can serve as a reference for other clinical and experimental studies in children with these disorders.
authors.affiliation: PHD in Nueroscience, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto - USP. Professor of the Department of Speech Pathology, Faculty of Sciences of the Universidade Estadual Paulista - FFC / UNESP, Marilia/SP - Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Claudia Figueiredo
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Frizzo
authors.affiliation: PHD in Medicine Pediatric Area, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto - USP. Professor of the Department of Ophtalmology, Otolaryngology, Head Neck, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto - USP, Ribeirão Preto/SP - Brazil.
authors.forename: Myriam Lima
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Issac
authors.affiliation: PHD in Psichology, São Paulo University - USP. Hospital Psicologist oh the Medicine School Hospital of Ribeirão Preto - USP, Ribeirão Preto/SP - Brasil.
authors.forename: Angela Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pontes-Fernandes
authors.affiliation: PHD in Applied Physics in Medicine and Biology, São Paulo University-USP. Professor oh the Departament Speech Pathology of Alagoas State University Health Sciences - UNCISAL.
authors.forename: Pedro de Lemos
authors.initials: Pde L
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.affiliation: PHD and Full Professor in Child Neurology, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto - USP. Professor of the Department of Neurology, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto - USP, Ribeirão Preto/SP - Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina Araújo Rodrigues
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Funayama
keywords: auditory; evoked potentials; learning