CLINICAL CASE 7 OF 8

Is the response really there?

Vignette

A trainee records a near-threshold cortical trace that might contain a small N1–P2. The automated detection statistic (Hotelling's T²) returns a non-significant result, but the residual noise is still relatively high. The trainee asks whether to call the response present based on the way the trace looks.

Findings

0100200300400latency (ms)Near-threshold trace
A small, possible N1–P2 near threshold; the automated statistic is non-significant while residual noise remains high.

Diagnostic question

What is the soundest way to resolve whether a response is present?

References