Neurophysiological test battery to assess the role of primary auditory perception, gating and attention in the auditory perception of sound intensity: A pilot study

Abstract

Background – Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has been associated with auditory intensity perception deficits. To date, the audiological and neurophysiological background of these perception deficits is unknown, and it is unclear which levels of auditory intensity perception are involved. Our group aimed to develop a neurophysiological test battery to investigate the role of primary auditory perception, gating and attention in the auditory perception of sound intensity. Method – Intensity dependent auditory evoked potentials (IDAEPs) and auditory oddball tasks for intensity discrimination (MMN, P3) in both silence and in noise were administered during EEG acquisition. Subjects included 7 healthy controls (HC) and one patient with idiopathic PD. Results – Higher N1/P2 amplitude values were evoked by increasing intensity levels in the IDAEP measurement. Stronger IDAEPs were found in the PD patient. Concerning MMN and P3 in the HC, higher amplitude values were found for the loud deviant (90 dB SPL) compared to the silent deviant (70 dB SPL), in both silence and in noise. Conclusion – The currently used paradigms seem relevant for the neurophysiological evaluation of auditory intensity perception in PD. Further work needs to be done to establish whether an auditory perception deficit in patients with PD can be demonstrated neurophysiologically.