Univariate Tests for Auditory Mismatch Effect Using Optically Pumped Magnetometer Array

Wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) using optical-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) array, i.e., OPM-MEG, has drawn extensive interests due to its merits such as reduced stand-off distance, flexible layout, and enhanced wearability. The mismatch response (MMR), a neurophysiological marker indicative of psychiatric disorders, has yet to be explored with OPM-MEG in focal layouts using univariate statistical tests in the time domain. To reveal the performance of different univariate methods on OPM data, here we first simulated mismatch effects in OPM arrays with different numbers of sensors covering left hemisphere and tested the effects in two univariate methods, i.e., false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected t-test and channelwise permutation t-test on OPM-MEG evoked data to address multiple comparison problem (MCP). Then, we adopted a paradigm to assess the performance of OPM array in distinguishing the response for two different tones (i.e., flat and low dipping) of Mandarin in oddball manner. We validated statistical results of simulated data with real data. Mismatch effects yielded different results across test methods and layouts. What is more, cortical activation to mismatch stimuli is consistent with sensor-level results. Our study provides preference on univariate statistical tests, thereby paving way for future cognitive and clinical applications.