Bandpass filter settings differentially affect measurement of P50 sensory gating in children and adults

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effect of four different bandpass filter settings on measures of the P50 component and the signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of averaged ERPs obtained from a sensory gating paradigm employing paired-click stimuli. Methods: Participants were adults (n= 18) 20-55. years old and children (n= 25) 5-10. years old who were free of neurological disorders. Results: Results show that the filter settings (0.23-75. Hz, 10-50. Hz, 10-75. Hz, and 10-200. Hz) differentially affected the P50 amplitude, noise power and SNR measures of the conditioning and test clicks, and P50 T/C ratios. Conclusions: The 10-50. Hz filter setting may be optimal in studies that include only adults as these settings resulted in the smallest mean P50 T/C ratio, a reasonable standard deviation (SD) for the ratio, and the highest SNRs. The 10-200. Hz filter may be the best for studying young children as this setting had the smallest mean and SD of P50 T/C ratios for these participants. Significance: In studies that include both adults and children investigators are advised to use the 10-200. Hz filter setting because the smaller variability of sensory gating in the child group helps ensure better homogeneity of variance measures between the groups. © 2012 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology.