The representation of voice onset time in the cortical auditory evoked potentials of young children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether, in young children, a cortical neurophysiologic representation of the voicing status of a stop consonant could be found in the absence of the N1 component in the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP). In adults, a 'double-on' N1 response is often considered a cortical marker of VOT representation.

Methods: Scalp-recorded CAEPs were measured from six electrode sites in 10 children aged 4-8 years in response to a /da/-/ta/ continuum in which voice onset times (VOTs) varied from 0 to 60ms.