New perspectives on the mismatch negativity (MMN) component: an evolving tool in cognitive neuroscience.

Abstract

The Mismatch Negativity (MMN) component of event-related brain potentials has become an important tool for investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying auditory perception, memory, attention, speech and music. The interest in MMN as a tool of investigation in Cognitive Neuroscience, and its clinical and scientific applications has been steadily growing during the recent years. The successful use of this non-invasive technique has led to an ever-expanding range of areas of study, including the development of auditory perception and cognition across the lifespan, and impairment of auditory cognition observed in a wide range of disorders, such as specific language impairment, dyslexia, central auditory processing disorders, autism, schizophrenia, aphasia, coma, to name only a few. Increased interest in using MMN as a research tool, and increased focus on its clinical use in detecting and monitoring cerebral and psychological dysfunctions has led to investigations aimed at gaining greater clarification of its neural substrate, and underlying mechanisms, using neuropharmacology and animal models. The papers in this special issue represent a small collection of talks given at the Sixth International Conference on Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and its Clinical and Scientific Application held May 1–4, 2012 in New York City, reflecting recent advances and theories of MMN.