Time as context: The influence of hierarchical patterning on sensory inference.
Time, or more specifically temporal structure, is a critical variable in understanding how the auditory system uses acoustic patterns to predict input, and to filter events based on their relevance. A key index of this filtering process is the auditory evoked potential component known as mismatch negativity or MMN. In this paper we review findings of smaller MMN in schizophrenia through the lens of time as an influential contextual variable. More specifically, we review studies that show how MMN to a locally rare pattern-deviation is modulated by the longer-term context in which it occurs. Empirical data is presented from a non-clinical sample confirming that the absence of a stable higher-order structure to sound sequences alters the way MMN amplitude changes over time. This result is discussed in relation to how hierarchical pattern learning might enrich our understanding of how and why MMN amplitude modulation is disrupted in schizophrenia.
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Electronic address: Juanita.Todd@newcastle.edu.au.
Juanita
J
Todd
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
Anne
A
Petherbridge
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
Bronte
B
Speirs
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
Alexander
A
Provost
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
Bryan
B
Paton
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003265:Contingent Negative Variation / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Context; Hierarchical inference; Mismatch negativity; Predictive coding; Temporal processing