P300 Parameters Over the Lifespan: Validating Target Ranges from an In-Clinic Platform

BackgroundEvoked potential (ERP) markers extracted from an EEG exam can provide novel sources of information regarding brain function allowing changes in cognition, from conditions such as concussion or unhealthy aging, to be measured and tracked over time. Age-related targets can provide useful guides for practitioners, trainers, and patients seeking to optimize and track brain function over time. Objective 1: To compare age-related changes in auditory P300 metrics of latencies and amplitudes collected in the course of routine clinical evaluations with published trends from research. Objective 2: To establish within-person test-retest variances for these P300 metrics. Objective 3: To validate a method for presenting age-stratified target ranges of P300 metrics. ParticipantsOne thousand seven-hundred and seventy-eight reference subjects aged 13-90. MethodsAudio P300 was measured as part of a health screening exam for studies through Colorado University, Childrens Hospital Colorado, Boone Heart Institute, WAVi Co., and various clinics alongside other clinical evaluations. ResultsThe age-related trends in both the P300 latency and amplitude measured in clinic match the age-related trends from previous research. In particular, the 2 control group endpoints at 20 and 90 years match the linear slopes predicted for age-related decline from early studies, and the inclusion of all ages produces a maturation prediction of a recent meta analysis where metrics peak near 20 years of age. Large between-person variances are observed across all studies but within-person variances remain consistent with previous studies. ConclusionIn-clinic measures of P300 latency and amplitude corroborate the age-related trends of published research taken over the last several decades. Large between-person variance remains, leaving P300 best suited for within-person comparison.