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Neural Correlates of Processing Syntax in Music and ... - PubMan

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Experiment I 102<br />

EAD<br />

Figure 9-3 Gr<strong>and</strong>-average ERP waveforms <strong>in</strong> the subgroup <strong>in</strong> which the Neapolitan sixth chords were<br />

used as irregular chords. ERPs elicited by the f<strong>in</strong>al chords. The black solid l<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong>dicate potentials<br />

elicited by regular (tonic) chords, the black dotted l<strong>in</strong>es responses to irregular chords<br />

(double dom<strong>in</strong>ants). The red solid l<strong>in</strong>es represent the difference wave (regular subtracted<br />

from irregular chords). The evaluated ERP components are <strong>in</strong>dicated by arrows: ERAN, N5,<br />

<strong>and</strong> early acoustic difference (EAD).<br />

Furthermore, an early difference (EAD <strong>in</strong> Figure 9-2 <strong>and</strong> 9-3, preced<strong>in</strong>g the ERAN) was<br />

observed. Descriptively, it appeared as a difference <strong>in</strong> the ERP response to the irregular<br />

<strong>and</strong> the regular chord functions with a maximum amplitude around 160 ms. It had a<br />

positive polarity <strong>and</strong> its amplitude was larger <strong>in</strong> the anterior (left-anterior: M = 0.64 μV,<br />

SEM = 0.31 μV; right-anterior: M = 0.55 μV, SEM = 0.27 μV) compared to the posterior<br />

ROIs (left-posterior: M = 0.38 μV, SEM = 0.31 μV; right-posterior: M = 0.02 μV,<br />

SEM = 0.31 μV). Such difference was also observed <strong>in</strong> other experiments us<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

same paradigm <strong>in</strong> children (other experiments <strong>of</strong> this work) <strong>and</strong> adults (Koelsch et al.;<br />

even though it was not evaluated <strong>in</strong> these experiments; Koelsch et al., 2007). Its functional<br />

significance rema<strong>in</strong>s to be specified <strong>in</strong> more detail. An ANOVA with the with<strong>in</strong>subject<br />

factors chord function, anterior-posterior distribution, <strong>and</strong> hemisphere <strong>and</strong> the<br />

between-subjects factor subgroup (Neapolitan sixth chords vs. supertonics as irregular<br />

chords) did not reveal any significant ma<strong>in</strong> effects or <strong>in</strong>teractions with chord function.<br />

The ma<strong>in</strong> effect <strong>of</strong> chord function was approach<strong>in</strong>g significance (F(1,67) = 3.72, p =<br />

0.058).<br />

9.4 Discussion<br />

The present experiment revealed that 2½-year old children process musical syntax comparable<br />

to older children <strong>and</strong> adults. The present data are the first evidence that an<br />

ERAN – reflect<strong>in</strong>g the process<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> musical syntax – is already established <strong>in</strong> 2½-year<br />

N5<br />

ERAN

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